Kenan Ayaz returned to Cyprus on Monday to serve his remaining prison sentence after being convicted of membership in a proscribed terrorist organisation. The 50-year-old Kurdish politician was transferred from Germany, where he had been detained for over two years.
Ayaz’s return marks a significant moment for the Kurdish community in Cyprus. The Observatory for the Trial of Kenan Ayaz, an advocacy group, hailed the occasion, stating, “He returned today to continue his struggle with all of us, for a world without oppression, occupation, and genocide.” This sentiment reflects the community’s solidarity and hope for a better future.
His legal troubles began when he was arrested at Larnaca airport in March 2023, following the issuance of a European arrest warrant by Germany. In September 2024, a German court sentenced him to four years and three months in prison for his alleged role as a regional leader in the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK). The court found him guilty of participating in events that aimed to propagate the party’s ideology.
The PKK has been classified as a terrorist organisation by the European Union since 2002. This designation followed a court ruling that rejected the group’s attempts to be removed from the terrorist list, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding its activities and Turkey’s longstanding view of the PKK as a major security threat.
During his incarceration in Germany, Ayaz faced what the Observatory described as “harsh conditions.” The group condemned his prosecution as a “blow to human rights,” suggesting that it exemplified the political targeting of the Kurdish movement across Europe.
Despite the challenges he faced, Ayaz has maintained a steadfast commitment to the causes he champions. The Observatory noted that he perceives the struggle of the Cypriot people against Turkish occupation as closely linked to the quest for Kurdish freedom. They expressed optimism that in Cyprus, the rule of law would prevail over what they termed “political hypocrisy.”
As of 2025, significant changes have occurred in the PKK’s approach, with the organisation announcing its intention to lay down arms and end its long-standing armed struggle against Turkey, a move that could reshape the dynamics of the region.
