Iihan Erdost

İlhan Erdost was born on 17 December 1944 in Tokat, Artova, Turkey. He came from a poor family and had to work after elementary school. He moved to Ankara with his older brother Muzaffer Erdost, who was also a publisher and activist. He resumed his education and adopted Kemalist and leftist views. He entered Ankara University Faculty of Law, but did not finish it. He worked for Sol Publications, founded by his brother, and later took over the responsibility of Sol and Onur Publications after his brother was imprisoned in 1971. He married Gül Erdost and published books and magazines on leftist and socialist ideas, such as Dialectics of Nature by Friedrich Engels. He was arrested after the 1980 military coup and accused of having and printing banned publications. He was tortured and beaten to death by soldiers on 7 November 1980 in Mamak Prison. His death sparked protests and outrage among the intellectuals and the public. He was buried in Cebeci Asri Cemetery in Ankara. His brother changed his name to Muzaffer İlhan Erdost in his memory. Leman Sam composed a song called "Ağıt" (Lament) for İlhan Erdost. He is remembered as a brave and influential publisher who fought for democracy and social justice.