No: 65, 6 March 2020, Press Release Regarding the Conferral of Abdullah Öcalan, the Leader of the PKK Terrorist Organization, with Honorary Citizenship by the Municipality of Fossalto, Italy

Republic Of Türkiye Ministry Of Foreign Affairs 06.03.2020

The conferral of Abdullah Öcalan, the ringleader of the PKK terrorist organization, with honorary citizenship by the Fossalto Municipality of Italy, is an infamous incident that ignores serious crimes against humanity perpetrated by this murderer.

The attempts to legitimize the PKK and its ringleader are futile as the PKK is registered on the list of terrorist organisations of the EU, responsible for the murder of more than 40 thousand people and has a heavy criminal record including drug and human trafficking, money laundering, child abduction and other organized crimes. These attempts are also completely contrary to the spirit of international cooperation in countering terrorism.

In view of this attempt which constitutes the last example of similar decisions of some local governments in Italy, as well as similar attempts that may occur thereafter, we reiterate our expectation from Italian authorities to cooperate in the fight against the terrorist organization.

Atatürk

Esra Cankorur Ambassador
Monday - Friday

09:00 - 12:30 / 14:00 - 17:00

1/1/2026 1/1/2026 New Year's Day
2/2/2026 2/2/2026 St. Brigid's Day
3/17/2026 3/17/2026 St Patrick's Day
3/20/2026 3/20/2026 National Holiday
4/6/2026 4/6/2026 Easter Monday
5/4/2026 5/4/2026 May Bank Holiday
5/27/2026 5/27/2026 National Holiday
6/1/2026 6/1/2026 June Bank Holiday
8/3/2026 8/3/2026 August Bank Holiday
10/26/2026 10/26/2026 October Bank Holiday
10/29/2026 10/29/2026 National Day
12/25/2026 12/25/2026 Christmas Day
12/26/2026 12/26/2026 St. Stephen's Day