According to Sözcü, Cemil Bayık, a senior figure of the PKK (listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the EU and the US), said in a statement on the process, "We will not lay down arms if Apo is not freed," and argued that the law passed in the Grand National Assembly (TBMM) does not meet their demands.
Bayık stated that they do not trust Türkiye and demanded the right to conduct democratic politics and changes to the laws. He also argued that the PKK should visit İmralı.