Thousands of demonstrators marched in Cologne demanding the release of Abdullah Öcalan, leader of the PKK, 25 years after his capture. The protest coincided with a period of potential reconciliation between Turkey and the PKK, marked by recent comments from Turkish officials about conditional release. For the first time in over 40 months, Öcalan received visitors in his prison, stirring renewed calls for his freedom. Despite tight regulations against displaying PKK symbols in Germany, the crowd showcased strong support, highlighting Öcalan’s enduring influence among Kurdish communities both in Turkey and Europe.