Mohammed Ocalan: Leader's continued isolation poses serious risk to his health

Mohammed Ocalan, the brother of leader Abdullah Ocalan, who recently met with his brother, issued a critical warning. Speaking to the ANF news agency about the meeting held in the high-security "F-type" Imrali Prison, Mohammed Ocalan said: "During this meeting, he appeared physically exhausted and showing his age. Detaining him under conditions of isolation, in this place with high humidity, poses a threat to his life."

He had undergone surgery for cataract removal

Mohammed Ocalan explained that on March 21st, he went to Imrali with his nephew Fatma Ocalan, Ali Ocalan, and a lawyer from al-Asr Human Rights Office Rights Office, noting that they met with his brother for about an hour and also held a meeting with the lawyers for an hour. He added that his brother Abdullah Ocalan had undergone eye surgery. He said: "He has had eye problems for a long time; it's a hereditary issue in our family. He said he had cataract surgery again."

Evaluated Kurdish culture and language

Mohammed Ocalan stated that they discussed several main topics during the meeting, saying: "We congratulated each other on Newroz, and he conveyed his message for the occasion. We talked about the course of the process. He indicated that some developments had occurred in recent weeks. He emphasized that they continue their efforts for peace and are working on it 24 hours a day, but he stressed that this process cannot advance from one side alone. He said he is doing his utmost to advance the solution in all four parts of Kurdistan. The issue of women was also evaluated again, both within the context of the process and in general. During the meeting, we specifically discussed the issue of Kurdish culture and language. I told him we are going through a very critical period regarding the Kurdish language, and that 80% of Kurds have lost their language and culture. He, in turn, reminded me that he has been struggling for 50 years to preserve Kurdish language and culture, and that this struggle continues. He said the Kurdish language must be protected by law, and there should be education in one's mother tongue. This point stayed with him, and he later discussed it with his lawyer as well. The issue of protecting cultural and Kurdish values was also specifically evaluated."

The Leader must be immediately removed from Imrali

Mohammed Ocalan clarified that there had been no change in the isolation conditions imposed on his brother in İmralı, pointing out that this situation also affects his health. Describing his detention conditions, he said: "No piece of iron can withstand 28 years under such conditions."

He added a warning: "As someone who has visited the leader more than anyone else over the past 28 years, I can say that during this meeting, he appeared physically exhausted and showing his age. There are only two years between us; previously his morale was good, and he didn't talk about his health except regarding his eyes. But in this last meeting, I saw he was suffering. I saw that the systematic isolation conditions imposed in Imrali have become a great threat to his body and health. He is 77 years old. It is no longer acceptable for him to be detained under these conditions of isolation and high humidity. We, as his family, reject this. Detaining him under these conditions has become a threat to his life. From here, I am making a call to the state: The leader is a bridge between peoples; he is trying alone, under difficult conditions, to solve an issue no one else can solve. Therefore, the state must take this into consideration. These isolation conditions must be changed immediately. His continued presence in these conditions poses a serious risk to his health. Stating this is my human duty. Some writers and others may say Imrali is a safe place, but I say frankly: If he stays there, his life is in danger. I say this as the person who has visited the island more than anyone else. He has reached 77 years of age. His conditions must be improved immediately, and he must be removed from Imrali.”

A-H

ANHA