Kurdish activist Mehmet Çakas was released after two years and ten months in prison for alleged PKK membership and was greeted enthusiastically by a large crowd outside Uelzen Prison. Many family members, friends, and companions had arrived at the prison early in the morning from Hamburg, Hanover, and other places and spent the waiting time singing and dancing. When Mehmet Çakas stepped out the door, cries of joy rang out.

Fight against deportation and criminalization

After the joyful and sometimes very emotional welcome, the co-chairs of the Federation of Kurdistan Communities in Northern Germany (FED-DEM), Hakime Yousef and Latif Karakaş, as well as the co-chair of the umbrella organization Confederation of Kurdish Communities in Germany (KON-MED), Kerem Gök, made statements in which they referred to the months-long campaign against the deportation of the Kurdish activist to Turkey and criticized the criminalization of the Kurdish freedom movement in Germany.

“A campaign for law and justice”

Activist Sofie gave a speech on behalf of the international campaign, saying that people across Germany had taken to the streets and shown solidarity for Çakas. “We will continue on this path and fight for a peaceful and democratic society,” she said.

Mehmet Çakas thanked those present and everyone who supported him over the past few months. “This campaign was not run for one individual; it was a campaign for law and justice. It has shown that people can achieve something when they believe in something and work together to achieve it,” said Çakas.

Çakas said he was part of a movement that was committed to a democratic society and based on the “Jin Jiyan Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom) philosophy. The German state must also understand this and finally change its attitude toward the Kurdish movement, he said and vowed that the struggle would continue until all political prisoners, including Abdullah Öcalan, were released.

Release from custody on reporting conditions

After the speeches, sweets were handed out, and Mehmet Çakas then drove to Hamburg with his family. Due to his ongoing deportation proceedings, he must report to the police once a week. In addition, a five-year “supervision order” was imposed on the Kurdish activist. This includes a monthly meeting with his probation officer and the requirement to report any change of residence or place of work. Any departure from Germany is also subject to approval.

Mehmet Çakas' asylum proceedings will continue on November 24, 2025, before the Administrative Court in Lüneburg.