foment a transnational aid network. He encouraged the use of Kurdish language in the city council and the municipality. He encouraged the use of Kurdish language in the city council and the municipality. He undertook various trips to Sweden, France and Germany and in 1979 several socialist-run cities in France sent fifteen trucks and buses to Diyarbakir as gift. As was a member of the DDKO, and a constant defender of Kurdish rights and acknowledged the Kurdish role in the Armenian genocide. Personal life Mehdi Zana has been married to politician Leyla Zana since 1975 and the couple has two children. He was imprisoned for 16 years during his life. After his release in 1995, he went to receive the Sakharov Prize in 1996 on behalf of his imprisoned wife, Leyla Zana. Following his release, has lived for several years in exile in Europe where he lived in Sweden and Germany. Mehdi changed his name from the Turkish Bilici into the Kurdish equivalent Zana. Bibliography References External links Congressman Bob Filner discusses Leyla and Mehdi Zana. 1940 births Living people Turkish Kurdish people Kurdish activists Turkish Kurdish politicians Mayors of Diyarbakır Turkish emigrants to Sweden Turkish human rights activists Turkish prisoners and detainees Workers' Party of Turkey politicians Politicians arrested in Turkey Kurdish politicians People expelled from public office Kurdish writers