Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ruled out any possibility of granting amnesty or house arrest to Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
According to Hurriyet journalist Abdulkadir Selvi, Erdogan told members of his ruling AKP, “There is no such thing as house arrest for Abdullah Ocalan.” He also stated that Ocalan himself had not made any request to leave Imrali prison, where he has been held since 1999.
Erdogan emphasized his firm stance on the matter by directing Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc to communicate with the public. “Explain to the people that there is no amnesty,” Erdogan reportedly told the minister. This move comes amid public speculation and ongoing debates about Turkey’s handling of the PKK and its leader, signaling the government’s unyielding position.
The president also commented on a new anti-terror operation launched in collaboration with Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli. He outlined the operation’s aim, saying, “This operation is not a negotiation. The PKK must dissolve itself and lay down its arms, not only in Turkey but also in Iraq and Syria.”
Erdogan stressed the importance of transparency, asking officials to ensure the public is fully informed about the operation’s objectives to dispel any doubts or concerns. “Clarify the operation to the public,” he said. The comments reflect Erdogan’s commitment to a hardline approach against the PKK, focusing on national security and the complete dismantling of the group’s influence within and beyond Turkish borders.