21.08.2026 14:20
As the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process has moved to a new dimension with the adoption of the Framework Law in Parliament, PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan sent a message to New Party leader Özgür Özel during his visit to İmralı. Responding to Öcalan's words, 'The road to democracy passes through İmralı, not Silivri,' Özgür Özel closed the door by saying, 'I pass the road to democracy not through prisons, but through the Turkish Grand National Assembly.'
Following the passage of the Framework Law in the General Assembly of Parliament within the scope of the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process, political circles became active. In the leaked meeting notes regarding the DEM Party delegation's visit to İmralı on August 2, it was seen that Abdullah Öcalan sent a special message to New Party Chairman Özgür Özel.
FROM ÖCALAN TO ÖZEL: THE PATH TO DEMOCRACY GOES THROUGH İMRALI
According to the information in the meeting notes, Abdullah Öcalan sent his regards to Özgür Özel and said, "You must say that opening the channel of law and democracy is the last chance for everyone, especially for you. The path to democracy goes not through Silivri, but through İmralı."
ÖZEL: NEITHER THE DELEGATION NOR THE GOVERNMENT INFORMED US
According to the news by Sarp Sağkal from Cumhuriyet newspaper; Özgür Özel spoke for the first time about the claims that Öcalan sent him greetings and drew a road map. Stating that no information was provided to them from the İmralı delegation or the government side, Özel said, "The DEM Party's İmralı delegation used to visit parties before; this time, after the August 1 meeting, they visited a few parties. They did not request an appointment from us and did not mention anything like this to me. Therefore, I did not take the matter into my radar."
"IF WE ARE TO BE A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC..."
Emphasizing that the struggle for democracy cannot be prison-addressed, Özel clarified his stance against the message from İmralı with these words: "In general, I see the path to democracy not through prisons or cities, but through the Turkish Grand National Assembly. It is not about passing through this prison or that place; if we are to be a democratic republic, it passes through the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the ballot box."
WHAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THAT MEETING?
During the meeting, the New Party's approach to the process was also on the agenda. When the delegation reminded Öcalan of Özgür Özel's statement supporting the process but wanting to see the law, Öcalan sent a direct message to Özel. Saying "Special regards to Mr. Özgür," Öcalan argued that one of Özel's officials should be on the Parliamentary Monitoring Committee. Stating that he particularly considered the New Party regarding the committee, Öcalan said, "I pushed for this committee for the New Party."
Also referring to the New Party's discourse on law and democracy, Öcalan said the ongoing talks were a 'democratic legal solution' discussion held with the state, not with the AK Party. The most striking part of Öcalan's message to the New Party was these words: "You must say that opening the channel of law and democracy is the last chance for everyone, especially for you. The path to democracy goes not through Silivri, but through İmralı."