Politics · Turkey · 13 hrs ago
Report: Öcalan moves to new residence on İmralı prison island
Jailed PKK founder Abdullah Öcalan has reportedly moved to a newly built residence inside Turkey’s İmralı prison complex.
He has been held on the island since 1999 and has played a central role in Turkey’s latest effort to end its long-running conflict with the PKK.
Öcalan called on the group to disband in February 2025, and the PKK announced its dissolution in May.
Journalist Nuray Babacan says Öcalan is now helping a new commission prepare lists related to the process, separate from the government’s existing oversight structure.
The reported move follows conflicting statements about whether a residence was built for him, and the account says he had sought a defined role in the peace process before moving.
Separately, his lawyers say Turkey has not created a review process for his life sentence, despite a 2014 European Court of Human Rights ruling requiring a mechanism that could allow for possible release.
They have asked the Council of Europe to press Turkey to act; the ruling does not guarantee Öcalan’s release.
Abdullah Öcalan has moved into a newly built residence inside Turkey’s İmralı prison complex, according to a report by journalist Nuray Babacan.
Babacan reported that Öcalan is helping shape lists related to the PKK’s dissolution through a new body called the “Dissolution Commission.”
The report said the move followed resolution of a dispute over Öcalan’s role in the peace process.
The residence has been the subject of conflicting statements by Turkish officials and political figures.
Öcalan has been held on İmralı since 1999.
- Who
- Jailed PKK founder Abdullah Öcalan.
- What
- He reportedly moved into a newly built residence and is helping shape lists related to the PKK’s dissolution.
- When
- The move was reported on Wednesday, October 21, 2026; the exact date of the move was not stated.
- Where
- İmralı prison complex, Turkey.
- Why
- Babacan’s sources said a new commission had resolved the issue of Öcalan’s role in the peace process.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli
Existence of a residence
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek
Gürlek denied in April that a residence was being built specifically for Öcalan, describing the site as an administrative compound.
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli
Bahçeli confirmed in September that a house had been built for Öcalan, according to journalist Nagehan Alçı’s account.
Purpose and move
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek
Gürlek described the site as an administrative compound.
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli
Bahçeli reportedly said Öcalan had declined to move there until he received a defined role in the peace process.
Öcalan issued an appeal calling on the PKK to disband and lay down its arms.
The PKK announced its dissolution.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek denied that a residence was being built specifically for Öcalan.
Devlet Bahçeli confirmed that a house had been built for Öcalan, according to Nagehan Alçı’s account.
Nuray Babacan reported that Öcalan had recently moved into the residence and was helping shape lists related to the PKK’s dissolution.
- Residence location
- İmralı prison complex, Turkey
- Held on İmralı since
- 1999
- Reported commission
- Dissolution Commission
- PKK dissolution announcement
- May 2025
- Report published
- October 21, 2026
What people are saying
Dissolution Commission
administrative compound