URFA - Citizens who tried to enter Öcalan's village Amara under the leadership of DTK, HDP, TJA and BDP to draw attention to the isolation imposed on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan were prevented by the soldiers. Protesting the intervention, Öcalan family said: "Open the gates of Imrali immediately".

 

The Democratic Society Congress, the Free Women's Movement (TJA), the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) organised a march to the Amara village of Halfeti, where PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan was born, against the isolation that continues for 23 years in İmralı Prison. People flocking to Amara from different cities and villages were stopped by the police at the check points. 

Citizens who finally entered the Amara district were welcomed by Öcalan's brother Mehmet Öcalan, his nephews, and Urfa MP Ömer Öcalan and Ali Öcalan at the family house.

 

'AMARA IS HOME TO ALL KURDS'

 

Protesting the intervention to their guests, Öcalan family made a statement. HDP Urfa MP Ömer Öcalan told that their guests were stopped by the soldiers illegally and that the doors of the family house is open for all Kurds. Stating that Öcalan is the only respondent for the democratic solution of the Kurdish question, Ömer Öcalan said: "This is our democratic right. What we are facing here is state oppression. They are insulting the people. The doors of our house is open for everyone. This is the house of the people."

 

'THERE IS NO WORD FROM THOSE HELD IN İMRALI' 

 

Speaking after Ömer Öcalan, Mehmet Öcalan underlined that the aggravated isolation imposed on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan is known by the whole world and said: "I have been to the İmralı island loads of times but the 4 people held there are under aggravated isolation for two years and there is no word from any of them for the last two years. This is illegal both in terms of domestic law and international laws. This is unacceptable. The doors of İmralı must be opened immediately." 

 

Öcalan pointed out that the ban on family visits must be removed immediately as well. 

 

The family and the guests set off to Halfeti for another statement.