Famed Kurdish poet İlhan Sami Çomak was reunited with his family after spending 30 years and three months in Turkish prisons. His release marks the end of a decades-long ordeal that began during his university years.
Çomak, a geography student at Istanbul University, was arrested in 1994 on accusations of “burning forests in the name of the PKK” and “participating in PKK activities.” Initially tried in the State Security Court, the charges were later dropped, but he was retried and convicted for “membership in the PKK” and “participation in armed attacks,” resulting in a heavy prison sentence.
In his pursuit of justice, Çomak filed a complaint with the Human Rights Court of the European Parliament (DMMP), which ruled in his favor, determining that he was entitled to a retrial and compensation. However, a decade after the DMMP’s decision, the 10th Court of Heavy Penalties in Istanbul re-sentenced Çomak to a life sentence.
Despite his incarceration, Çomak’s creativity flourished. He authored several acclaimed books, including Roj Baş Erd, Tamim Ba Te, The Open Sea, Conquering the City of the Dead, We Are at the End of Life, and I Love Life, earning him widespread recognition in the literary world.
His release has been celebrated by his supporters and family, symbolizing resilience and the enduring power of artistic expression.
