Turkish authorities have released Veysi Aktaş, one of the oldest comrades of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, after he served more than 30 years in prison. His sentence included ten years in the high security İmralı prison, where he was held alongside Öcalan.

The release came as a delegation from the pro-Kurdish Equality and Democracy of Peoples Party visited Öcalan on Friday to advance the ongoing peace process between Turkey and the PKK, initiated in late 2024.

 Highlights:

Despite serving his full sentence, previous attempts to release Aktaş had failed.

- Aktaş gained prominence after appearing alongside Öcalan during a public message on February 27.

- Turkish media reports suggest the release aligns with efforts to improve Öcalan’s detention conditions.

- The PKK’s leadership in Qandil Mountain responded to Öcalan’s call by dissolving the party and surrendering their weapons, with a symbolic ceremony held in Sulaymaniyah in May.

- The Equality and Democracy of Peoples Party, Turkey’s third-largest party, plays a mediation role—frequently visiting Öcalan and relaying his messages.

- Since negotiations resumed in late 2024, Turkey has allowed multiple party delegations to visit Öcalan, discussing the formation of a parliamentary committee to address the Kurdish issue.

- Turkey also permitted Öcalan’s family to visit him last June, breaking years of isolation.

 Analysts believe that any reconciliation between Öcalan and the Turkish government could positively impact Kurds in Turkey and neighboring regions—Syria, Iraqi Kurdistan, and Iran.