HDP’s Sakik Promises Freedom to Ocalan
HDP Promises “Freedom” to PKK Leader, Says Ağrı Deputy Candidate Sırrı Sakık
The Green Left Party Ağrı Deputy Candidate, Sırrı Sakık, has once again stirred controversy with his recent statements before the upcoming elections on May 14. Sakık, who had previously made headlines with his promise to “change the 100-year-old republic”, this time called for freedom for terrorist leader Öcalan and imprisoned former HDP Co-Chairs.
Speaking to the voters, Sakık said, “The eyes of those in prisons are on us.” He urged the imprisoned leaders to take advantage of this “historical opportunity” and called on the voters to take into account the fate of Selahattin, Figen, and Gülten people who are still in prison when they go to the polls.
The HDP has been accused of having close ties with the PKK, a designated terrorist organization in Turkey and many other countries. The party has repeatedly denied such allegations and insists that it is committed to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. However, its criticism of the government’s handling of the Kurdish issue and its calls for greater autonomy for the region have put the party on collision course with the ruling AKP and its supporters.
The HDP is currently facing a tough electoral challenge, with the ruling AKP and the main opposition party CHP vying for the Kurdish vote. The HDP won 11.7% of the vote in the 2018 elections, enough to secure 67 seats in the parliament. However, since then, the party has seen a significant decline in its support due to a crackdown on its members and leaders, many of whom were imprisoned on terrorism charges.
The upcoming elections are seen as a crucial test for the HDP’s survival and its future role in Turkish politics. The party’s leaders are hoping to win enough votes to surpass the 10% electoral threshold and secure their seats in the parliament. However, their controversial statements and their perceived links to the PKK are likely to weigh heavily on the minds of the voters, who are increasingly concerned about security and stability in the region.
