17.06.2026 14:02
İYİ Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu harshly reacted to discussions regarding the release of Abdullah Öcalan, arguing that such a decision cannot be made by a parliamentary majority. Stating, 'Whether this nation wants Öcalan to be released or not, the people must be asked,' Dervişoğlu called for a referendum on this issue.
İYİ Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu harshly reacted to debates about Abdullah Öcalan's release. Arguing that Öcalan's freedom cannot be decided by a parliamentary majority, Dervişoğlu called for a referendum, saying, 'Whether this nation wants Öcalan to be freed or not should be asked of the people.'
DERVİŞOĞLU'S REFERENDUM CALL FOR ÖCALAN
In his speech at his party's group meeting in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, İYİ Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu made striking statements about the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process and debates regarding Abdullah Öcalan.
Criticizing the call for freedom for the terrorist organization and terrorists in full view of the nation, Dervişoğlu argued this amounts to glorifying crime and criminals. Claiming that efforts are being made to legitimize certain regulations intended to be brought to Parliament, Dervişoğlu said, 'The plan is very clear, the game being played is very obvious. They want to make my Kurdish brothers subjects of that terrorist convict, that baby killer on İmralı. I say this is the greatest insult to Kurds.'
"ASK THE NATION ABOUT ÖCALAN'S FREEDOM"
Pointing to the government's majority in Parliament, Dervişoğlu argued that a decision like releasing Abdullah Öcalan cannot be made by a political majority.
Dervişoğlu stated, 'You have the majority to pass laws in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, but granting freedom to a murderer like Abdullah Öcalan is not something to be done with a majority obtained in rally squares or in Parliament. Whether this nation wants Öcalan to be freed or not should be asked of the people.'
Addressing those demanding freedom for Öcalan, Dervişoğlu said, 'Those who demand this freedom, instead of holding rallies here and there, should hold a referendum without wasting any time.'
"THEY ARE APPOINTING TRUSTEES TO CITIZENS' IDENTITIES"
Continuing his criticism of the process, Dervişoğlu stated, 'They are appointing trustees to citizens' identities, they want nullity for the national state. With the parliamentary majority they have seized, which is fit for making laws, they will try to trample the nation's law.'
Arguing that efforts to release Öcalan will not succeed, Dervişoğlu said, 'They want it very much, but they will not succeed. Because we exist. We are the soldiers of this sacred unity. We are those who proclaim that the Turkish nation is not without a guardian.'
HARSH CRITICISM OF AGRICULTURAL POLICIES
In his speech, Dervişoğlu also touched on economic and agricultural policies, claiming that the AK Party's agricultural policies have failed.
Stating that 'The AK Party's agricultural policy has long since gone bankrupt,' Dervişoğlu argued that one of the main reasons for the high cost of living is the wrong policies in agriculture. Noting that farmers are forced to produce at a loss, Dervişoğlu also criticized the announced wheat purchase prices, saying that producers in Anatolia are facing increasingly difficult conditions.