In a recent development, Turkish police detained 28 individuals in connection with a "freedom march" held in support of Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The protestors, advocating an end to Ocalan's isolation, took to the streets in various provinces including Diyarbakir, Sanliurfa, Mersin, Van, and Sirnak.

The crackdown on the march was particularly intense in Diyarbakir, known as Amed in Kurdish, according to reports from the pro-Kurdish media outlet Mezopotamya Agency. Unconfirmed reports also suggest additional arrests in Van.

Led by the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (HEDEP) and supported by several other pro-Kurdish parties and organizations, the march aimed to draw attention to the isolation imposed on Ocalan, who has not been heard from in over two years. The protestors intend to conclude their march in the Gemlik district of northwestern Bursa province, the last stop before Imrali island where Ocalan is imprisoned.

Tulay Hatimogullari, co-chair of HEDEP, addressed the crowd during a brief speech in Mersin, stating, "We will march towards Gemlik tomorrow with all our friends and all our people in solidarity here."

Abdullah Ocalan, who founded the PKK in 1978, initiated an armed struggle against the Turkish state in 1984, advocating for the rights of Kurds in Turkey. The PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by the Turkish government. Ocalan has been in jail since his arrest in Nairobi in 1999, and concerns have been raised about the lack of communication with him. Despite numerous requests from lawyers and family members, attempts to meet the PKK leader have been consistently rejected by the authorities.

The recent arrests and the crackdown on the "freedom march" highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding the Kurdish issue in Turkey and the government's firm stance against activities perceived as supporting the PKK.