At a Glance

• Poet and journalist Darbaz Younis has stated that his newly released book, titled "Fara Mahabadi," is facing distribution restrictions and is unavailable at the Erbil International Book Fair.

• Published on October 21, 2026, the 250-page book details prison conditions and detention realities in Erbil and Shaqlawa based on Younis's four-month detention following a traffic accident.

• The work combines prison memoirs, poetry, true stories, and legal inquiries, drawing its title from a 60-year-old inmate who playfully referred to himself as the prison commander.

• Younis explained that the book aims to prompt a critical review of pre-trial detention and imprisonment processes across the Kurdistan Region, noting instances of individuals held for extended periods before being cleared.

Erbil's cultural sphere has sparked debate following claims by poet and journalist Darbaz Younis that his latest publication addressing correctional facility conditions has encountered hurdles and is absent from the international book fair.

Book Content and Author's Experience

• Origins in Detention: Following a traffic incident that led to a four-month period of detention, Younis documented daily observations inside correctional facilities, which later served as the foundation for his book.

• Critique of Detention Practices: The book addresses systemic issues within the judicial and detention framework, citing examples where detainees spent up to a year imprisoned only to be later released and declared innocent.

• Literary Background: "Fara Mahabadi" marks Younis's latest prose and poetry release, following his earlier poetry collections A Distant Heart (2007) and I Even Mourn Your Homesickness.

FYI

The Erbil International Book Fair is an annual cultural event that brings together publishing houses, authors, and readers from across the region and internationally to showcase diverse literary works.