returning from an abroad concert he was arrested. Because, one of a TPFA (Turkey, Public Freedom Army) organization member kidnapped Türkola Records firm owner by saying 'Mahzuni wants you' which was not true. However, he was sentenced to prison for 14–15 months. In the middle of 70's he was prohibited from stages for 8 years and he couldn't go abroad. He made his living by selling records in a little store. He secretly made records in 1981-82. These records launched in 1986 when his prohibition was removed. In 1971, due to military coup Süleyman Demirel government overthrown and Nihat Erim government took over. New government was so hard on leftwinger people. So Mahzuni Şerif said a folk song called 'Erim Erim Eriyesin' which is related with new government's president's surname. In Mahzuni's song he is implying that 'you melt for long and long' which is a criticism to his pressure. In conclusion, Mahzuni was arrested and sentenced prison for 10 months. In 1972, he went to Sivirialan village in Sivas to visit Aşhik Veysel. In 1973 he was arrester for incitement people for crime and he judged in Ankara Court which was governed by military. In 2001, due to some of his words in an article he was sued. His first court started in December 27 of 2001. When he died in Germany, the case was not concluded. He was tortured in prison. He was asked a question by a journalist, "Have you ever received a state artist offer? (This offer is a reward for artists which is a great honor in Turkey) Mahzuni replied as 'State rewarded me by pulling my nails in military governed court'. Death He died on May 17, 2002, in Porz, Köln, Germany. He was buried in an area called Çilehane, in Hacı Bektaş Veli Complex, Nevşehir Province. Şerif became one of Turkey's best-known musical interpreters of Turkish folk music and folk poetry. References External links Mahzuni Şerif on birikinet.com 1939 births 2002 deaths People from Afşin Alevi singers Turkish folk poets 20th-century Turkish male singers Turkish Alevis Ashiks