Overview
- Police said 15,000 participants were registered for the city-center march, which set off around midday.
- Authorities reported a calm event with no noteworthy incidents as demonstrators called for Öcalan’s release.
- The PKK announced its dissolution in May, symbolically laid down arms in July, and began withdrawing fighters to northern Iraq after a declaration on October 26.
- PKK-linked outlet ANF and demonstrators argued that meaningful negotiations require Öcalan’s participation and freedom, noting he has been held on İmralı since 1999.
- Turkish nationalist leader Devlet Bahçeli had earlier floated the possibility of an Öcalan release, a point referenced by KCK figure Sabri Ok when outlining the withdrawal.