Ministry of Justice Responds to ‘Imrali’ Claim Last Minute
Justice Ministry Denies Allegations of Meeting with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan
The Turkish Justice Ministry has denied recent allegations made by IYI Party leader Meral Akşener that a delegation was sent to İmralı to meet with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. In a statement released to the public, the ministry explained that the visit to İmralı was for the inspection of service buildings and convenience facilities used by the Imrali Gendarmerie Island Security Command.
According to the ministry, the visit was prompted by a written request from the Bursa Provincial Gendarmerie Command, which stated that the roofs of the service buildings were damaged due to a recent storm and that water had flowed into the buildings. As a result, a technical team consisting of a Mechanical Engineer from the Support Services Department, a team of Civil and Electrical Engineers from the Ministry of Justice Support Services Department, and the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses Support Services Department were mobilized to carry out the repairs and renovations.
The Inspection Judge, Responsible for the Construction Real Estate Bureau, was appointed on 21 March 2023 to conduct an examination in the above-mentioned institution, and technical examinations were carried out on the island, according to the statement. The report on the needed renovations and reinforcements was then submitted to the General Directorate.
However, the Justice Ministry denied that any inspection or meeting was held in the prison section where the convicts are housed, and stated that the news and statements made regarding this were distorting facts.
The statement concluded by announcing that the public should respect the documented facts on the subject.
