03.04.2026 15:40
AVA TV, which broadcasts in Northern Iraq and is claimed to be owned by the Barzani family, aired a video featuring Abdullah Öcalan, the founding figure of the terrorist organization PKK, while censoring Öcalan's face.
The images broadcasted by AVA TV, allegedly owned by Aren Masrour Barzani, the son of the President of the Kurdistan Region, Mesrur Barzani, have sparked controversy. The channel blurred the face of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan while airing footage of his call made on February 27, while the faces of other individuals were shown clearly.
SIMILAR BROADCASTS HAVE BEEN MADE BEFORE
Social media users claimed that AVA TV also made a similar broadcast on June 10, 2025, and again censored Öcalan's image.
STRONG REACTION FROM DEM PARTY
Following the broadcast, a reaction came from the DEM Party. DEM Party Co-Chair Tayyip Temel stated in a post on his social media account, “This incident is a great shame in the history of Kurdish media. AVA TV must immediately apologize to the Kurdish people.”