Suzan Samanci, a prominent figure in contemporary Kurdish literature who has lived as a political refugee in Geneva, Switzerland, arrived at Istanbul Airport on September 22. Police detained her immediately upon arrival, citing an ongoing political investigation.
Her lawyer and human rights defender, Eren Keskin, announced via social media that Samanci was detained on charges of “propagating for a terrorist organization.”
Released under travel ban
Following her detention, Samanci delivered her statement to the Diyarbakır (Amed) Magistrates’ Court via the SEGBIS judicial video-conferencing system. While the court released her following her testimony, it imposed a travel ban as part of judicial control measures.
Lawyer Eren Keskin criticized the decision, labeling it a serious violation of human rights and freedom of expression. Keskin highlighted that Samanci had returned to her homeland after a decade simply to visit family, friends, and readers in Diyarbakır, making the travel restriction a harsh obstruction to her personal and professional life.
A recognized voice in contemporary literature
Suzan Samanci began writing in 1979 and published her first poetry collection in 1985. She gained widespread recognition with her 1993 book Ji Hêlînê Bêhna Reçîneyê Dihat (The Resin Smelled from the Nest), which powerfully depicts life in conflict-torn Diyarbakır. In 1997, she received the prestigious Orhan Kemal Literature Award. Her novels and short stories—frequently exploring Kurdish identity, female experiences, memory, and exile—have been translated into multiple international languages.
Italian literary agency Eulama recently took over Samanci’s global representation to expand her international presence. However, the travel restriction imposed by the Turkish court now places her international literary activities and publishing commitments in serious jeopardy.
