Turkish minister reveals prison conditions of PKK leader

ISTANBUL

Hürriyet photo

Imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Abdullah Öcalan is allowed to spend five hours a week with other inmates, Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin said when describing the convicted PKK leader’s prison conditions in response to a question from an opposition deputy, daily Milliyet has reported.  

Ergin provided a detailed report on how Öcalan is treated in prison and his daily schedule.

According to Ergin, Öcalan is allowed to spend five hours a week with other inmates. He is allowed full use of the prison’s library, which consists of nearly 2,236 publications. However, Öcalan has no television in his cell.

About 39 officials work at the prison where Öcalan is currently staying. The same kitchen provides meals for both inmates and officials, according to Ergin's statement.

Öcalan was convicted with a life sentence and is currently imprisoned on İmralı Island.