Kurdistan Region President Barzani offers condolences over death of Kurdish politician Mehdi Zana

ERBIL, Iraq — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has issued a message of condolence following the death of Mehdi Zana, a prominent Kurdish politician in Turkey, at the age of 86. In his message, Barzani extended his sympathies to Zana's wife, Leyla Zana, and to family members and relatives. Barzani described Zana as one of the leading figures of the Kurdish political struggle in Turkey, saying he dedicated years to defending his people's rights and made significant sacrifices in that effort. He praised Zana's enduring contribution to Kurdish political life in Turkey alongside his wife, Leyla Zana. Zana first entered the political record in 1977 when he was elected Diyarbakır's first Kurdish mayor. Following Turkey's 1980 military coup, he was arrested and imprisoned for more than a decade over his political positions and his advocacy of Kurdish rights, the message said. He leaves behind a lasting mark on the Kurdish political movement in Turkey, according to the condolence statement. Further details on funeral arrangements or official responses from Turkish authorities were not immediately available.