A solidarity gathering was held on Wednesday outside the central prisons in Nicosia, calling for the immediate release of Kurdish activist Kenan Ayaz. Supporters demanded his freedom either through a presidential pardon or early release, arguing he has already served much of his sentence in Germany and Cyprus.

Ayaz was recently transferred to the open prison section of the central prisons. His lawyer, Efstathios Efstathiou, told the Cyprus News Agency that his return to Cyprus marks a continuation of what he called the joint Cypriot-Kurdish struggle. He said Ayaz has never separated his vision for Kurdish freedom from his support for Cypriot independence.

Efstathiou argued that Ayaz was convicted in Germany for actions that did not involve violence or terrorism, but rather activities linked to freedom of assembly, which are protected under the European Convention on Human Rights. He added that Ayaz has served more than half of his sentence and hopes he will be released soon.

The demonstration was organised by the “Observatory for the Trial of Ayaz” in cooperation with the Kurdish community in Cyprus. Speaking at the event, Alecos Michaelides said the demands are clear and have been repeated by politicians and activists: immediate release, either by decision of the justice ministry or by the president of the Republic.

Michaelides noted that Ayaz spent more than two years in German prisons before being transferred, and no criminal acts were ever recorded against him in Cyprus.

He recalled that Ayaz was recognised as a political refugee by the Republic of Cyprus 14 years ago. According to information received by the observatory from the deputy ministry of migration, his case will be reviewed and political protection status may be restored.

He stressed that Cyprus never accused Ayaz of terrorism, unlike German courts, and said campaigners expect the Cypriot authorities, including the president, to ensure his protection and release.

Ayaz was sentenced to four years and three months in prison. With more than two years already served in Germany, campaigners argue he has completed a significant part of his term and qualifies for early release.

They also believe that a presidential pardon remains legally possible, as the president is not bound to justify such a decision to Germany.

Supporters concluded that Ayaz had lived in Limassol for years without posing a threat to Cypriot society and urged authorities to take decisions consistent with that record.