Claim shaking Ankara's corridors: A 'limited freedom' plan for terrorist leader Öcalan? If the 'opening project' goes as planned...

The Imralı process, which has returned to the agenda following statements made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli in recent weeks, is being intensely debated in political circles. The process gained a new dimension on February 27 when the leader of the terrorist organization PKK, Abdullah Öcalan, called on the organization to 'lay down arms.' While developments are awaited with curiosity, journalist Nuray Babacan shared important claims regarding the process in her column.

LIMITED FREEDOM SCENARIO

According to information provided by Babacan, a 'limited freedom' is being planned for Öcalan if the process proceeds in certain stages. Stating, "If the opening project proceeds as desired, Öcalan will be free... But limited," Babacan listed the steps planned within this scope as follows:

He will continue to stay in Imralı.

He will be able to accept visitors from outside.

He will be able to travel within Turkey under certain permits.

He will not be able to go abroad.

He will not have the right to vote or be elected.

While it is stated that this regulation will be evaluated within the framework referred to as the "Right to Hope" in the legal system, it is expressed that the state will determine the boundaries of the process.

In her article, Babacan also included the steps Ankara plans to take within the framework of 'democratization.' However, she pointed out that the issue of 'education in the mother tongue' is not on the agenda. Other prominent regulations were listed as follows:

Pressures regarding the free use of Kurdish in daily life, at events such as weddings and funerals, will be lifted.

Bilingual signs and boards in local administrations will return to our lives.

Controls on Kurdish music and songs will be relaxed.

Steps will be taken to reduce or abolish the practice of appointing trustees (kayyum).

The process is also expected to have consequences for prisoners held in jail for 'political reasons.' According to Babacan, while the government takes steps toward amnesty for PKK members during this process, it will also have to produce a solution regarding dissident political prisoners. She made the following assessment on the subject:

"They know that while releasing PKK members one by one, they cannot continue to keep people in prison just because they are dissidents. Not because they believe this is legal or ethical, but simply because they cannot explain to the voters that they are a government that only releases PKK members..."

Nuray Babacan's article titled 'Limited' freedom for Öcalan' is as follows:

The statement text containing the unconditional dissolution of the PKK, created with the help of the MIT (National Intelligence Organization) by terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan, has led to the opening of a new door. The first steps that need to be taken from now on are already known from the ready-made list in the 2013 opening. The important thing is how the finale will be played out?

If the opening project works exactly as desired, Öcalan will be free... But limited. He will reside in Imralı, accept visitors from outside. He will travel within the borders of Turkey with permission. He will not be able to go abroad, he will not have the right to vote or be elected.

In other words, Turkey will talk about the Right to Hope this year.

The state will determine the boundaries of the Right to Hope.

***

Let us remind you again. The Right to Hope is the evaluation by an administrative or judicial authority of whether convicts sentenced to life imprisonment will be released. I draw your attention to the phrase "administrative authority."

It is known that the PKK will convene its congress to dissolve itself. There are different views on the date of this. Ankara intelligence sources speak of the PKK congress convening in two weeks.

There is a plan to hold it before the March 21 Newroz holiday so that it is not used as the date.

If everything goes well, we will start talking about the Right to Hope in the summer months.

And... If the entire plan proceeds systematically as the state envisions, and operations such as dissolution, surrender of weapons, migration of leadership cadres to other countries, and the evacuation of all camps, living areas, and caves are completed without any accidents or trouble, amnesty will begin to be discussed.

Sources state that there is at least one year for this, and it will take up to two years when what needs to be done is taken into account.

We looked at the calendar of the opening process from the end, but that is also the place everyone is curious about.

Because we have experience in how it will start. We are inexperienced in how it will end. Because it has never been successful so far...

That's why the finale is important....

***

Let's come to the democratic steps expected in the later times of this process.

According to Ankara's plan, pressures regarding the use of the Kurdish language in daily life, at weddings, and at funerals will be lifted.

Bilingual signs and boards in local administrations will return to our lives.

Kurdish songs will be listened to more comfortably.

The pressure of trustees will be lifted.

However, education in the mother tongue is nowhere in this study.

This process is also expected to have consequences regarding people put in prison for political reasons.

They know that while pardoning PKK members one by one, they cannot continue to keep people in prison just because they are dissidents.

Not because they believe this is a correct and legal stance, but simply because they cannot explain to the voters that they are a government that only releases PKK members...