The observatory in the case of Kurdish activist Kenan Ayaz has called for his immediate release from prison, asserting that the crimes he was convicted of in Germany do not align with the legal framework of the Republic of Cyprus.
- The observatory contends that Ayaz’s prosecution was orchestrated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, following his detention in Germany for over two years.
- Koukoumas reminded that EU member states have a responsibility to refuse to execute European arrest warrants when there is a risk of political persecution involved.
- The PKK has long been viewed by Turkey as a significant security threat, exacerbating tensions related to Kurdish activism and rights across Europe.
During a press conference in Nicosia on Monday, observatory member Alekos Michaelides highlighted that Ayaz has already spent 17 years in Turkish prisons without trial or credible evidence against him. He stated, “He travelled throughout Europe, informing people about the ongoing Kurdish struggle, and today he insists on a joint anti-occupation struggle of Cyprus and Kurdistan as the only path for the prosperity of our people.”
The observatory contends that Ayaz’s prosecution was orchestrated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, following his detention in Germany for over two years.
Upon his return to Cyprus in early September, Ayaz began serving the remainder of his sentence, which is set to conclude in June 2026. Michaelides expressed concern about Ayaz’s future, stating that his fate remains “up in the air.” He warned that any further delays in his release would impose a “moral burden” on the Republic of Cyprus, effectively acknowledging the German court’s conviction.
“Every day that passes and Kenan Ayaz is in prison is like the Republic of Cyprus itself recognising Turkey’s right to prosecute, condemn and oblige European Union countries to imprison Kurdish fighters,” Michaelides added.
Ayaz’s lawyer, Efstathios Efstathiou, revealed that they have appealed the conviction to the European Court of Human Rights, lodged in October 2025. He noted that Ayaz was sentenced by the Hamburg higher regional court to four years and three months in prison, emphasising that the conviction was not founded on violent actions or criminal activities.
Efstathiou clarified that the basis of Ayaz’s conviction was his participation in nine peaceful demonstrations and cultural events relevant to the Kurdish community, which were deemed legal under the European Convention on Human Rights. The German court acknowledged that Ayaz’s involvement in these activities was lawful but considered them potentially criminal due to the political context surrounding them.
AKEL MP Giorgos Koukoumas condemned the situation, labelling it “outrageous.” He argued that the Republic of Cyprus should never have executed the European arrest warrant, asserting that Ayaz’s imprisonment was at the behest of Erdogan and the Turkish government, not due to any legal wrongdoing.
Koukoumas reminded that EU member states have a responsibility to refuse to execute European arrest warrants when there is a risk of political persecution involved.
Support for Ayaz’s immediate release has also come from former Greens leader George Perdikis, who stated, “He was unjustly convicted in Germany, and we are keeping him in prison,” highlighting the inconsistency between Ayaz’s status as a recognised refugee in Cyprus and his treatment under the law.
Ayaz was arrested at Larnaca airport in March 2023 following the issuance of a European arrest warrant from Germany. In September 2024, he was found guilty of being a member of the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been classified as a terrorist organisation by the European Union since 2002. He was accused of serving as a “regional leader” for the PKK and for organising events that purportedly aimed to disseminate propaganda.
The PKK has long been viewed by Turkey as a significant security threat, exacerbating tensions related to Kurdish activism and rights across Europe.
