Kurdish activist Kenan Ayaz thanks AKEL for its solidarity and support

 

26 February 2026, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

Kurdish activist Kenan Ayaz, who was recently released from prison after three years of unjust suffering at the hands of the Cypriot and German authorities responsible for his extradition, today expressed his sincere gratitude to AKEL and the entire Cypriot people for their support and solidarity. who was recently released from prison after three years of unjust suffering at the hands of the Cypriot and German authorities, who are responsible for his extradition, conviction, and imprisonment as a “terrorist.” Kenan Ayaz visited the AKEL central offices today to meet and thank AKEL and its leading cadres, who for three years have been actively involved in the solidarity movement that developed in our country and ultimately succeeded in securing his release.

Kenan Ayaz was welcomed by the General Secretary of AKEL, Stefanos Stefanou, who expressed AKEL’s great joy and satisfaction at his release, reiterating the consistent solidarity of the Cypriot Left towards the struggle for the dignity and democratic freedoms of the Kurds. The meeting, which was also attended by AKEL’s press Spokesperson, MP Giorgos Koukoumas, and the Head of the Party’s International Relations Department, Vera Polycarpou—exchanged views on the worrying geopolitical developments in the wider Middle East region and on the situation in Cyprus and the Kurdish issue. They shared the view that the role of the US, Israel, and Turkey in the region is inflammatory for peace and security in the states and among the peoples of our neighbourhood.

Finally, Stefanos Stefanou presented Kenan Ayaz with a symbolic statue created in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of Cyprus-AKEL, reiterating the assurance that Kurdish activists will always find a consistent and selfless ally in AKEL.

26.02.2026