Massive Protest in Cologne Demands Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan

Thousands gather to call for the release of the PKK leader and seek a political solution to the Kurdish issue.

Estimates of attendance at the Cologne demonstration vary, with police reporting around 7,000 participants, while organizers claim tens of thousands.
The protest was organized by KON-MED, a major Kurdish organization in Germany, advocating for Öcalan's release and peace in Kurdish regions.
Abdullah Öcalan, the PKK founder, has been imprisoned in Turkey since 1999 and is held in isolation on İmralı Island.
Recent political developments in Turkey have sparked renewed calls for Öcalan's involvement in peace talks, though skepticism remains about the Turkish government's intentions.
Criticism was directed at German media for their portrayal of the protest, which some felt emphasized potential conflict over the peaceful nature of the demonstration.