The suspended and arrested mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, has appealed to two of the political parties represented in parliament, which have an active role in the process of implementing the Counter-Terrorism Plan, in which the disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) plays a central role, BTA reported.
In İmamoğlu's address, delivered from the courtroom during his last appearance there, and published today on his Facebook profile, the suspended mayor of Istanbul stated that the Counter-Terrorism Plan is bigger than all politicians and parties and must be implemented for the sake of the future of the nation and together with the people.
„Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) – the pro-Kurdish party in the Mejlis – ed.) and the nationalist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) should not see this process as an opportunity for themselves. It is burdened with a historical responsibility, it must be carried out carefully, with active participation, and we must take serious steps to continue it“, said Ekrem İmamoğlu.
The plan to combat terrorism puts an end to the conflict with the PKK, which lasted for decades and led to the deaths of thousands of people.
The first ceremony to burn the weapons of the PKK took place on July 11, 2025 in Iraq.
A parliamentary committee is also to be established to monitor the process. Today, the Turkish state television „TRT Haber“ reported that the Speaker of the Mejlis Numan Kurtulmuş held a meeting with representatives of the parliamentary groups, at which the establishment of the committee itself was discussed. It is expected to hold its first meeting next week.