Barış Terkoğlu reacts to AKP deputy's 'Mr. Öcalan' remark: I am not asking what will happen now

Following the announcement that the terrorist organization PKK has officially dissolved and laid down its arms as part of the “Imralı Process” initiated under the leadership of the MHP on October 22, statements coming from the government front are drawing attention. AKP Istanbul Deputy Azmi Ekinci, who was evaluating the process, sparked controversy by using the address “Mr. Öcalan” for the leader of the terrorist organization, Abdullah Öcalan.

Ekinci, in an interview with the Northern Iraq-based Rudaw TV, used the phrase “The founder of this organization, Mr. Öcalan” and argued that the PKK's decision to dissolve was made upon Öcalan's call and that there is no turning back from this process. However, these expressions recalled the censorship and penalties imposed on the opposition press in the past.

"RTÜK HAD BLACKED OUT THE BROADCAST, NOW IT IS SILENT"

Journalist Barış Terkoğlu, in a post on his social media account, criticized the government's double standard by recalling that years ago, RTÜK imposed heavy penalties after the term “Mr. Öcalan” was used on an opposition broadcasting outlet.

Not many years ago… A deputy who participated in a program we prepared with @siring and @ecapa_aklinizi used the term “Mr. Öcalan,” and aside from what we were put through, RTÜK imposed a broadcast blackout penalty on our program due to this expression, even though we had no involvement in it.
Now RudawTV… pic.twitter.com/R92dwNkykz

— Barış Terkoğlu (@baristerkoglu) May 15, 2025

In his post, Terkoğlu stated, “I noticed it now while watching Rudaw TV... AKP deputies have started using the address 'Mr. Öcalan.' Azmi Ekinci repeats this expression multiple times on air. I am not asking what will happen now; I am aware that in Turkey, it is not principles that occupy the seats, but the men of the era.”

News Source: 12punto