The Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) said Turkey should ease prison conditions for its founder Abdullah Ocalan, declaring him the group's "chief negotiator" for all future talks after the decision to dissolve the party.

The Kurdish organization, declared a terrorist group by Ankara and its Western allies, announced on May 12 that it had decided to disarm and disband after decades of insurgency against the Turkish state that killed more than 40,000 people, AFP reported.

The group's historic decision came after a call by Öcalan in a letter from the prison on Imrali Island, where he has been held since 1999.

Zagroos Hiva, a spokesman for the PKK's political wing, said they "expect the Turkish state to make changes to the conditions of isolation" to provide Öcalan with "free and secure working conditions so that he can lead the process."

"Leader Apo is our chief negotiator" for all negotiations with Turkey, Hiva said, referring to Öcalan.

"Only leader Apo can lead the practical implementation of the decision taken by the PKK," he added.

The mechanisms for disbanding are still unclear, but the Turkish government has said it will closely monitor the process to ensure its full implementation.

Hiva said the PKK had shown "seriousness towards peace," but "so far, the Turkish state has not given any guarantees and has not taken any measures to facilitate the process" and has continued "bombing and artillery shelling" against the Kurdish organization's positions.

The PKK has rear bases in the autonomous northern Kurdistan region of Iraq, where Turkey also maintains military bases and frequently conducts air and ground operations against Kurdish fighters.

Turkish media report that fighters who have not committed crimes on Turkish territory can return without fear of persecution, but PKK leaders may be forced into exile or remain in Iraq.
Hiva said the PKK opposes the forced departure of its members or leaders, stating that "true peace requires integration, not exile." | BGNES