Once again lawyers for Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan have been told they would not be able to meet their client because of the weather which makes it impossible, the authorities say, to reach Imrali island where Öcalan is a prisoner since 1999.

The Kurdish lawyer has not been allowed to see his lawyers since July 27 last year. Authorities have denied meetings using excuses like weather conditions and technical problems with the boat carrying visitors to the island.