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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Prominent Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas supports the ongoing peace process between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a recently released Kurdish politician who shared a prison cell with him told Rudaw on Monday, describing Demirtas as a "person of peace."
"We know well that if a structured and lasting peace is achieved here, he [Demirtas] is someone capable of taking on major responsibilities to convince and reassure the public that this is the right path forward," Adnan Selcuk Mizrakli told Rudaw's Hawar Jalaladin.
Mizrakli, who was the Mayor of Diyarbekir (Amed) in southeastern Turkey for four months in 2019 before the Turkish government removed him from office and jailed him on terrorism-related charges - an accusation Ankara has frequently leveled against Kurdish and other political opponents - was released last week after serving his sentence.
During his imprisonment, Mizrakli shared a cell with Demirtas, who has been behind bars since 2016 on the same charges, along with dozens of members of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party - renamed in 2023 as the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party).
While affirming that he does not speak on Demirtas's behalf, Mizrakli expressed hope that his “unlawful imprisonment” would come to an end, arguing that allowing him to “express his views directly would greatly benefit the societal consolidation of peace in this process.”
The Turkish parliament in mid-August approved the Law on the Strengthening of National Solidarity and Social Integration with support from 467 lawmakers. The bill was subsequently signed into law by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The landmark legislation aims to end the decades-long conflict between Ankara and the PKK, relieving combatants of certain guerrilla-related offenses upon laying down their weapons, while excluding intentional killing and other serious crimes.
The law also obliges Turkish authorities to enshrine long-denied national and cultural rights in legal and constitutional frameworks, including the official recognition of Kurdish language and identity.
“We wish that was [adopted] 25 or 40 years ago,” Mizrakli said about the bill, adding that “these efforts had yielded results so that conflict and violence could have been prevented entirely." Based on his "observations," he said, both he and Demirtas share that view.
However, he said the process must move “with greater transparency.”
“Both sides must declare their intentions and outline a clear roadmap for the future. While some confidentiality is understandable, a clear roadmap must eventually be presented to the public,” he added.
In late August, senior PKK commander Murat Karayilan released the group's first comprehensive account of its internal casualty figures for the entirety of the conflict, putting total recorded losses at 25,922 fighters between 1976 and 2026.
“Violence should have been halted before reaching these levels. We wish those past efforts had succeeded, but we cannot dwell solely on regrets,” Mizrakli said.
Below is the full interview with the Adnan Selcuk Mizrakli:
Rudaw: Mr. Mizrakli, welcome. Glad to see you released safely from prison. Let us start with our questions. Following your release, how do you see the current situation?
Adnan Selcuk Mizrakli: As a doctor, despite everything... For me, regarding what has changed, I can speak about it gradually. In Turkey, things can change every hour for anyone, but the actual reality - since I was not personally involved in or part of all those events - is that I can only speak about things I did not experience directly.
What is evident is that within society, there is a strong sense of questioning and a push toward reaching a conclusion in this process, accompanied by great hope. Regarding the issue of trust, I can say there is a question about whether there is trust in moving the process forward.
For such a process to progress with trust, positive steps must be taken - steps that everyone can see and accept. Following my release, based on my observations, I have seen that this process affects not only Turkey, but also the broader Kurdish geography and the Middle East. It is a very sensitive issue.
If this process is to succeed in Turkey, and if it is integrated into politics and diplomacy, everyone needs optimism and hope for the future.
Alright. Mr. Mizrakli, you spent a long time in prison. Now that you are free, how do you evaluate the new peace/resolution process? Which points do you view as positive, and which raise concerns?
Looking at conflict resolution processes around the world, our process somewhat resembles them, tailored to Turkey's specific context, characteristics, and regional dynamics. There is a new effort here.
For those of us who strongly believe in peace and democratic resolution, if you see even a glimmer of light or a path toward peace, you must walk toward it. We feel the same way. Beyond whether people fully trust it or not, we believe this process must yield concrete, transformative results that benefit everyone, leading Turkey toward stability, prosperity, democracy, freedom, rights, and justice.
There are underlying issues that need to be addressed. Efforts must be made to overcome them, especially at this stage. Sometimes obstacles arise, but both sides must remain sincere and committed to resolving these challenges through dialogue. Sincerity from both sides can yield mutual benefits that satisfy all parties.
Alright. Recently, many have pointed out that this resolution process is different from previous ones. In your view, what makes it different this time?
In this process, both sides need to be clearer and more explicit about the issues. As everyone knows, in such processes, a third-party observer or mediator can sometimes be helpful to monitor and guide the steps. I am not saying such mechanisms do not exist this time, but for the public to fully understand and digest the process, clear steps must be taken without relying solely on third parties.
People need clear indicators to anticipate future developments. Instead of withholding information, there is currently a lack of transparency and a shortage of concrete steps. If you do not involve society and keep the process confined to political maneuvers among certain actors without sharing information, people will interpret it through their own lenses, leading to misunderstandings.
For this process to be properly observed and analyzed, it needs to be conducted with greater transparency. Both sides must declare their intentions and outline a clear roadmap for the future. While some confidentiality is understandable, a clear roadmap must eventually be presented to the public.
Mr. Mizrakli, I would like to ask about your former cellmate, Mr. Selahattin Demirtas, who remains in prison. How is his situation?
His health is very good. As a doctor, I observed him closely. He is extremely attentive and sensitive regarding his health. From his diet to his regular exercise routine, he maintains a healthy lifestyle. He stays active from 5:00 AM until the evening, keeping a structured routine for exercise, meals, and sleep. His physical health and morale are excellent. Leaving him behind was difficult for me, but his overall condition is very good.
Alright. Has Selahattin Demirtas shared any views or observations regarding this process? What are his thoughts?
It would be inappropriate for me to speak directly on his behalf regarding these matters. You should direct these questions to him, just as you are asking me. I can say that Selahattin Demirtas is a person of peace, resolution, democracy, law, rights, and freedoms. He has consistently fought a political struggle for these principles.
If you ask who Demirtas is, I would say he is a man of peace, law, and human rights. He strives for a peaceful and decent life in this country. We know well that if a structured and lasting peace is achieved here, he is someone capable of taking on major responsibilities to convince and reassure the public that this is the right path forward.
Therefore, his ongoing unlawful imprisonment should come to an end. Allowing him to express his views directly would greatly benefit the societal consolidation of peace in this process.
Mr. Mizrakli, what were the main ideas or projects Selahattin Demirtas discussed while you were together? Was there anything he wished had been done differently?
Again, Demirtas should speak for himself on these points. However, based on my observations, both Selahattin Demirtas and I share similar reflections. We wish that 25 or 40 years ago, or during the 2015 process, these efforts had yielded results so that conflict and violence could have been prevented entirely.
Violence should have been halted before reaching these levels. We wish those past efforts had succeeded, but we cannot dwell solely on regrets. We must learn from the past and focus on making sure we do not have to say "we wish" this time around.
Mr. Mizrakli, do you plan to visit Selahattin Demirtas in the near future?
Yes, absolutely. Once my current busy schedule clears up, I intend to visit him. Having shared a long period together, there is naturally a strong bond. He is a very valuable friend, and we share a deep mutual respect. After finalizing my immediate tasks, I plan to visit him.
Alright. One more question regarding Mr. Demirtas: While you were together, was there any communication, message, or exchange of letters between Demirtas and Ocalan?
These are personal matters. If you look at his statements and writings from prison, he has addressed the public broadly, offering constructive messages aimed at opening paths toward peace.
As for whether specific letters were sent or received between particular individuals, it is best for Mr. Demirtas himself addressed those details directly.
Alright. Mr. Mizrakli, as a former mayor, how do you view the role of municipalities in Northern Kurdistan (southeastern Turkey) within this new resolution process? Can local municipalities play a role in this peace process?
Local administrations and mayors play an important role in their respective cities. Municipalities possess a significant standing within local governance.
In building peace, local administrations can contribute valuable perspectives, both through individual leadership and institutional policy. Peace must become a practical reality, not just internally but across local governance frameworks, where joint models and planning can be developed.
Local administrations - whether in the east, north, south, or extending from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean and Thrace - should design plans to make peace more tangible. I anticipate they will make every effort toward this goal.
Mr. Mizrakli, regarding your future responsibilities, what specific work or tasks do you plan to undertake in the upcoming period?
First and foremost, I am a surgeon. Here at our party building, as I meet with people, many tell me that I performed surgery on them, their fathers, or their mothers. Through that medical practice, I shared deep connections with the people of this city, and they helped heal my own burdens as well.
I intend to continue my work as a physician. Furthermore, I have faced a political ban for nearly three years, alongside my time in custody. Despite these legal limitations on formal political activity, as a human being, a physician, and an advocate for peace, I hold a sense of civic responsibility.
I will do whatever I can, not just for this city, but within a broader framework for the country to contribute positively. If opportunities allow, I will continue on that path.
Dr. Adnan Selcuk Mizrakli, former Co-Mayor of Diyarbakir Metropolitan Municipality, thank you for joining us.
Thank you very much. I am honored to be here, and I send my warm regards to all the viewers. As a messenger, I also convey the greetings of Mr. Demirtas to your audience. Wish you all the best.
