Muhittin Pirinççioğlu, who was released on January 14 after 32 years of imprisonment, spoke about his long years in prison, the conditions he witnessed there, and the emotions he experienced after his release. Having celebrated Newroz behind bars for many years, Pirinççioğlu, now a free man, said that this year carries a distinct meaning for him, as he reflected both on his time in prison and on the significance of Newroz for the Kurdish people.
Detained in 1994
Muhittin Pirinççioğlu, who was arrested in 1994 while studying in the Chemistry Department at Dicle University, described the harsh conditions of that period:“I was a student at Dicle University in 1994. I was taken into custody along with my family based on the testimony of a single person. It was a very difficult period for us, because at that time some of those taken into custody were disappeared, while others were killed in detention. There was deep fear and concern both for us and for our family. I remained in custody for 25 days and was subjected to severe torture during that time. Afterwards, I was brought before a court, but there was no real trial. It was called a trial, but there was neither the right to defense nor any law. In the end, I was sentenced to life imprisonment.”
Even those who completed their sentences were not released
Those sentenced to life imprisonment are legally required to be conditionally released after 30 years, Pirinççioğlu said, noting that later legal changes extended this period: “According to the law, someone sentenced to life imprisonment should be conditionally released after 30 years. However, later regulations extended this period up to 36 years. This was a violation of their own laws, yet it was still implemented. As a result, many of our friends were not released even after completing their sentences. Some spent 33 years, others 34 years in prison. Despite completing their sentences, they were not released on arbitrary grounds. I myself spent nearly 32 years in prison and was released two months ago.”
I stayed in many different prisons
Pirinççioğlu said he was held in several prisons during his years of imprisonment: “I was initially held in Diyarbakır. After about two months, I was transferred to Gaziantep, where I stayed for five and a half years. Later, I was sent to Adıyaman, where I spent a total of 11 years in two separate periods. I stayed one year in Mardin. My last 14 years were in Karabük. In other words, most of my prison life passed in different cities and under different conditions.”
The 1990s were a very harsh period
Pirinççioğlu said the atmosphere of the 1990s was extremely harsh and recalled the severe pressure on Kurdish identity at the time: “The 1990s were a very difficult period. There was war in the mountains, and in the cities the serhildans had just begun. They were not yet widespread; they were mostly taking place in places like Cizre and Nusaybin. Much of the public’s attention was focused on the struggle in the mountains. At that time, symbols and names were banned, and even clothing could be a problem. Even a colorful scarf or T-shirt could be grounds for detention. There were people arrested simply because a book or a newspaper was found in their home. Some were sentenced for membership in an organization just for reading a book. For this reason, people did not have much trust in seeking their rights through legal means.”
If you lose your language, you lose your identity
Pirinççioğlu stressed that Kurdish should be used more in daily life: “When we look at today, that heavy atmosphere of bans from the 1990s no longer exists. There are now some opportunities to speak, write and publish in Kurdish. Despite this, I see that people act somewhat loosely on this issue. For example, two people may know Kurdish but still speak Turkish with each other; they speak Turkish at home, with their families and friends. This is not the right approach. Because if you lose your language, nothing remains of your identity. Language is the foundation of our identity. We are not saying people should speak only Kurdish all the time, but at least at home and among friends, it should be used. These things may seem small, but they are actually very important.”
Newroz in prison
Pirinççioğlu said Newroz always carried a special meaning in prison and described past celebrations: “In the early years, the wards were very crowded; we were staying together as 30 to 40 people. That is why we had more opportunities to prepare for national days like Newroz. One group would prepare folklore, there would be theater performances, and poems would be read. Symbolically, a fire would be lit and people would dance around it. The atmosphere outside was also felt inside. In fact, I can say that sometimes it was celebrated more organized inside. Because outside, Newroz was often banned, people were detained and there were interventions. But we kept that spirit alive inside with our own means.
In recent years, due to heavy isolation, celebrations were not as crowded as before. Imagine you are only three people together; even if you perform a play, who will watch it? Still, poems would be read, symbolic dances performed, and whatever was possible would be done. For us, Newroz is not just one day; every day is Newroz. What matters is to keep that spirit alive.”
This year, I will welcome Newroz in freedom
Pirinççioğlu said that celebrating Newroz freely this year carries a special meaning for him and expressed his feelings: “When you spend many years in prison, that excitement always remains alive inside you. It feels as if the years have not passed. I celebrate Newroz today with the same excitement I had in 1994. Now I am outside and Newroz is very close. Of course, there is great excitement. After celebrating Newroz in prison for years, I will welcome it in freedom this year. But I can say this: even as the years pass, that spirit of struggle does not disappear. It continues in the same way. I already wish everyone a happy Newroz.”
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