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Tag: Kenan Ayaz

  • Kurdish Activist Kenan Ayaz Faces Calls for Release Outside Nicosia Prison

    Kurdish Activist Kenan Ayaz Faces Calls for Release Outside Nicosia Prison

    kenan ayaz — A solidarity gathering took place on Wednesday outside the central prisons in Nicosia, with protesters demanding the release of Kurdish activist Kenan Ayaz. Supporters are urging for his freedom either through a presidential pardon or early release, citing that he has already served a significant portion of his sentence in Germany and Cyprus.

    Photo: cyprus-mail.com

    Recently transferred to the open prison section, Ayaz’s case has drawn considerable attention from both the Kurdish community and human rights advocates. His lawyer, Efstathios Efstathiou, remarked to the Cyprus News Agency that Ayaz’s return to Cyprus represents a continuation of the joint Cypriot-Kurdish struggle for freedom. Efstathiou elaborated that Ayaz has consistently linked his vision for Kurdish independence with the pursuit of Cypriot independence.

    Photo: cyprus-mail.com

    According to Efstathiou, Ayaz was convicted in Germany for actions that did not involve violence or terrorism, but rather for activities associated with freedom of assembly, which he argues are protected under the European Convention on Human Rights. Having served more than half of his sentence, his lawyer expressed hope for a swift release.

    The gathering was organised by the “Observatory for the Trial of Ayaz” in collaboration with the Kurdish community in Cyprus. Alecos Michaelides, a spokesperson at the event, reiterated the demands for immediate release, emphasising the role of the justice ministry and the president of the Republic in this matter.

    Michaelides highlighted that Ayaz spent over two years in German prisons prior to his transfer and noted that no criminal acts have been recorded against him in Cyprus. He also pointed out that Ayaz was recognised as a political refugee by the Republic of Cyprus 14 years ago. Recent communications from the deputy ministry of migration indicate that his case is under review, with a possibility of restoring his political protection status.

    Michaelides stressed that Cyprus has not accused Ayaz of terrorism, unlike the outcomes in German courts. Campaigners are hopeful that Cypriot authorities, including the president, will act to ensure his protection and eventual release.

    Ayaz was sentenced to four years and three months in prison, but with over two years already served in Germany, supporters contend that he has completed a significant portion of his sentence and qualifies for early release. They argue that a presidential pardon remains a viable option, as the president is not obligated to justify such a decision to German authorities.

    Supporters concluded the gathering by reminding authorities that Ayaz had lived in Limassol for years without posing a threat to Cypriot society. They called for decisions that reflect his positive standing within the community.

  • Kenan ayaz — Kenan Ayaz Returns to Cyprus to Serve His Prison Sentence

    Kenan ayaz — Kenan Ayaz Returns to Cyprus to Serve His Prison Sentence

    Kenan Ayaz has returned to Cyprus to serve his remaining prison sentence after being convicted of being a member of a proscribed terrorist organisation. His return from Germany, where he had been detained for over two years, marks a significant moment for the Kurdish community in Cyprus.

    Ayaz, a Kurdish politician, faced a European arrest warrant and was arrested at Larnaca airport in March 2023. His situation escalated when a German court sentenced him in September 2024 to four years and three months in prison for his alleged membership in the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK). The PKK has been designated a terrorist organisation by the European Union since 2002, a classification that Turkey has long championed, viewing the group as a substantial security threat.

    The Observatory for the Trial of Kenan Ayaz, an advocacy group, celebrated his return as a “great day” for the Kurdish community, stating that Ayaz had come back “to continue his struggle with all of us, for a world without oppression, occupation and genocide.” They expressed that his prosecution in Germany was a “blow to human rights” and highlighted the adverse conditions he endured during his imprisonment.

    Ayaz’s case illustrates the complexities surrounding the Kurdish movement in Europe, where advocates argue that political motivations drive the criminalisation of individuals involved. The group noted Ayaz’s belief that the struggle of the Cypriot people against Turkish occupation aligns with the quest for Kurdish freedom, urging for the rule of law to prevail in Cyprus amidst what they termed “political hypocrisy.”

    In a notable turn of events, the PKK announced in 2025 that it would lay down its arms, marking an end to its 41-year-long armed struggle against Turkey. This development adds another layer to the ongoing discourse regarding the PKK and its members, especially in Europe, where various legal actions have been taken against individuals associated with the movement.