Lawyer Muharrem Şahin, who met Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan multiple times before, spoke to ANF about the role Öcalan assigned to the elections and democratic politics. Şahin said: “Mr. Öcalan believes that there is no problem that cannot be resolved. He persistently prioritizes and values democratic politics. The future of this country will be reshaped after the elections in May. There is a possibility that there may be a regime change and everyone should act responsibly. If Mr. Öcalan is contacted before the elections, it would deescalate the tensions and polarization in society.”

Şahin remarked that the Kurdish question was not resolved through the government’s current policy, but a solution could be achieved in the event of a sincere effort by the government to be elected after the elections on May 14.

IMPLEMENTING LAWS WOULD BE ENOUGH

Şahin underlined that Öcalan’s isolation should be lifted as soon as possible in the event of the AKP-MHP regime being replaced by a new government. He said: “Even the implementation of the laws by a new government would be sufficient. The laws clearly state that there is no obstacle to meeting Öcalan. In fact, a crime is being committed right now. The new government should not commit this crime.”

THE NEW GOV’T SHOULD BE SINCERE

Şahin recalled that Öcalan had repeatedly declared ceasefires and taken important steps for a solution. He added: “We have all witnessed how the Kurdish question could not be resolved with the current security policies. Thus, we can say that the new government will find an easy way of achieving a solution as long as it is sincere. There are conditions for this.

There are serious problems in the fields of the economy, the judiciary, and politics. People cannot maintain their lives because of the economic crisis. We know that a solution to the Kurdish question will enable a solution to all these problems as well. In the event that Mr. Öcalan is contacted, we will see how a solution can be found to all these issues.”