Kurdish leader Ocalan moved to new section of island prison

Turkey has relocated Abdullah Ocalan to a newly constructed section of the prison on Imrali island, where he has been held since 1999. Mithat Sancar, a senior Kurdish official and lawmaker for the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, confirmed the move during an interview with Medya Haber TV on Saturday. Sancar did not provide specific details about the transfer but stated that the change necessitates an acceleration of the peace process.

Ocalan, the founder of the Kurdistan Workers Party or PKK, has remained incarcerated in the Marmara Sea facility for over two decades. The island lies in the sea connecting the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea. Improving conditions for Ocalan has long been a primary demand from Kurdish groups seeking to end the conflict that began in 1984. While Sancar did not explicitly confirm that the new wing offers better accommodations, his comments suggested that the relocation was part of a broader effort to enhance Ocalan's living situation.

The move comes as the peace initiative has faced a recent stagnation. Sancar described the past two months as a pause in negotiations. He urged the Turkish government to move away from what he called an insistent and rigid stance. According to Sancar, the process cannot proceed with unilateral expectations and demands, and Ocalan must coordinate the talks. He emphasized that Ocalan remains a central figure in advancing the agreement.

Since February 2025, Ocalan has called on the PKK to disband and disarm. A group of DEM Party politicians, including Sancar, have regularly visited him during this period. Three months after that call, the PKK announced it would lay down its arms and end hostilities. In response, the Turkish parliament approved legislation in August that offers a conditional pardon to thousands of PKK fighters. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the law into effect later that month.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people. The recent legislative changes aim to formalize the end of the 42 year struggle. The transfer of Ocalan to the new prison section marks the latest physical step in a process that relies heavily on his influence to guide both parties toward a final resolution.

Sancar’s remarks were made as part of his ongoing role in bridging the gap between the PKK and the Turkish state. The new prison section was built specifically for this purpose, signaling a shift in how authorities are managing the long detained leader. The next phase of the peace process will likely involve further negotiations between DEM Party representatives and the Turkish government, with Ocalan’s cooperation serving as a critical component of the plan.