Gokhan Yavuzel
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Gökhan Yavuzel | |
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| Born | December 21, 1992 Suruç, Şanlıurfa, Turkey |
| Nationality | Turkish |
| Occupation | Writer, Poet, Activist |
| Known for | Sahipsiz Şiirler, Barış İçin Edebiyatçılar İnisiyatifi |
Gökhan Yavuzel (born 21 December 1992, Suruç, Şanlıurfa) is a Turkish writer, poet, and activist known for his literary works addressing social issues and his activism against political oppression. A member of PEN International, Yavuzel has lived in exile in Wales since 2018 due to threats and legal pressures in Turkey.
Early Life
Yavuzel was born in Suruç, a district of Şanlıurfa, Turkey. He studied psychology and sociology, though some sources indicate he also attended Anadolu University’s Business Administration department in Edirne. His early life was marked by exposure to various regions of Turkey, including Istanbul, Mersin, and Edirne.
Career
Yavuzel gained recognition with his first book, Sahipsiz Şiirler (Poems Without Owners), published in 2015 by Sokak Kitap. His second work, Katiller Hep Yalnızdır (Murderers Are Always Alone), a collection of short stories, essays, and poems, was released in 2016 by Kutlu Yayınları. Both books became bestsellers in Turkey and Northern Cyprus, earning him the Young Best Author award in Cyprus in 2016. His latest work, Notes in Exile, was published in 2022. Yavuzel has also contributed as a columnist to various newspapers and literary magazines and worked as a freelance editor.
Activism
In January 2016, Yavuzel co-founded the "Barış İçin Edebiyatçılar İnisiyatifi" (Writers for Peace Initiative) and helped draft the "We Will Not Be a Party to This Crime" peace declaration, protesting military operations in Turkey’s Kurdish-populated southeast. This led to an arrest warrant issued on 12 April 2019 for alleged "terrorism propaganda". In 2021, he faced additional legal action, including a charge of "insulting the president" based on a social media video responding to death threats. Yavuzel was acquitted in February 2025 of "inciting hatred" charges related to a 2021 article. Due to ongoing threats, he sought asylum in the United Kingdom in 2019, where his application was accepted.
Exile and Attacks
Yavuzel moved to Wales in 2018 following a smear campaign and threats in Turkey. In July 2021, he was attacked by four Turkish-speaking individuals in a park near his home in Cardiff, an incident he linked to his name appearing on an alleged "execution list" targeting critics of the Turkish government. The list’s existence was confirmed by German police to other targeted individuals, including journalist Celal Başlangıç. Yavuzel reported the attack to British police, who were aware of the threat. In January 2023, he returned to Turkey due to health issues but was detained at Istanbul Airport over prior legal cases, later released with a travel ban.
Personal Life
Yavuzel has faced significant personal challenges, including health issues that prompted his return to Turkey in 2023. He has remained active in advocating for freedom of expression despite his exile.
References
External links
This article "Gokhan Yavuzel" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.