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The PKK declared over the weekend that they will not send additional groups to surrender to authorities. Last Monday eight members of the PKK and 26 people from the Makhmur refugee camp, which is considered by Ankara to be a hotbed for the PKK, turned themselves in to Turkish security forces. After initial interrogations, they were released and received a festive welcome, leading to criticism from many segments of society, including the government and opposition parties.
The group turned themselves at the behest of terrorist PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who is serving life in prison on İmralı Island in the Sea of Marmara. He urged the return of groups from the Kandil Mountains, where the PKK has a camp, from the Makhmur refugee camp and from Europe.
The group from Europe was expected to arrive on Oct. 28, just one day before the anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.
