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# B. R. Amed, Entered Prison at 23 and Walked Free at 53: 'I Realized I Had to Save Myself First, Not the World'"
- URL: https://www.botantimes.com/b-r-amed-entered-prison-at-23-and-walked-free-at-53-i-realized-i-had-to-save-myself-first-not-the-world/
- Published: 2026-08-19T10:45:12.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-19T10:45:12.000Z
- Author: Botan Times
- Tags: English

Author and journalist Bejdar Ro Amed, who stepped into freedom at age 53 after entering prison at 23, spoke about his 30-year incarceration, his initial encounter with a transformed world, peace processes past and present, and the foundations of social reconciliation.

**By Veli Baltacı**

When he emerged from behind bars—having entered with the ambition to save the world, humanity, and his homeland—he was met by a completely different era. Having grown so alienated from modern technology that he once remarked during a bus stop break, "They forgot to install a faucet here," upon encountering a touchless sensor tap, he was forced to start learning anew like a child. Yet, after 30 years, what truly transformed him was neither the altered streets of Diyarbakır nor smart technology; it was the profound internal journey he undertook behind bars. "I set out to save the world, only to realize that the person who truly needed saving and transforming was myself," says journalist and author Bejdar Ro Amed, as we discuss his 30-year struggle for freedom, inner transformation, and the future of social peace.

**When you walked free after 30 years, what was the first image in your mind and the first emotion you felt?**

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/78/3078d29f-396a-43b0-b7b7-1bc59fe4b4b6/content/images/2026/08/2-197-2.webp)

Because I work on mental transformation, leaving prison after three decades didn’t shock me at all. It felt as though I had only entered 10 minutes prior. However, technology caused me serious confusion. On the way to İzmir, the bus pulled over for a break. I went to wash my hands in the restroom and couldn't find a faucet. I told a man nearby, "They forgot to install faucets here." He looked at me in surprise and said, "Brother, just put your hand underneath, it turns on automatically." Adapting to technology was a process of relearning everything from scratch, like a child.

**Does the rapid urban and technological transformation still pose a challenge?**

Yes, it still does. I returned to Diyarbakır, and the change is unbelievable. Areas like 50 Metre and the Dünya Junction have evolved into an entirely new city. Four years have passed since my release, yet I’m still like an infant adapting to technology and this new urban reality—though I’m enjoying the learning process.

**How did you preserve your spiritual and mental resilience throughout 30 years in prison?**

We were incarcerated for a political cause. Being part of an organized, highly educated collective softens the hardship. That isn't to say prison is easy—every single second is grueling. What gave me extra protection was my work in mental transformation. In fact, as I left, I thanked the prison. It was like a school, an academy that taught me life's greatest lessons. Without that experience, I wouldn't be the person who has authored 15 or 16 books today or truly grasped inner transformation.

**What sets the 23-year-old young man apart from the 53-year-old Bejdar Ro Amed?**

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/78/3078d29f-396a-43b0-b7b7-1bc59fe4b4b6/content/images/2026/08/23-yasinda-girdigi-cezaevinden-53-yasinda-cikti1-2.webp)

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say there’s a 100,000-year difference. When I went in, I was an ardent idealist intent on saving the world, women, children, and everyone else. Then I realized that the one who needed saving was me. We thought donning a revolutionary mask made us purified, but I realized transformation had to start within. I learned that the world reflects who I am; if I cleanse myself, the world begins to cleanse as well.

**Over 30 years, you witnessed the departure of many comrades. How do friendships in prison differ from those outside?**

Comradeship in a cause is unique; we paid heavy prices. Yet, analyzing thousands of conflicts, I realized with sadness that many comrades remained trapped within rigid ideological molds. Marxism, Leninism, Cuba, North Korea, Vietnam... they all collapsed or decayed. If we are to learn from this, we must focus not on what we do, but on who we are. True comradeship requires genuine mental purification.

**You followed the political climate closely while incarcerated. How do you evaluate past peace processes compared to the present?**

During my time in prison, dozens of prime ministers and presidents came and went, from Özal to Erdoğan. As Öcalan noted, this process should have concluded back in 1993\. Everything since has been a repetition. It’s a mistake to attribute the problem entirely to the state. While the state carried out major conspiracies and had serious flaws, we also faced major impasses. Had we recognized our own shortcomings in time, significant progress could have been made in '93\. Nevertheless, current steps toward peace remain invaluable, despite their shortcomings.

**Do you believe political actors and institutions have learned from past mistakes?**

I don't believe lessons have been learned holistically. A traditional, narrow, and ideologically saturated mindset still prevails. As Öcalan put it, "Ideology should now account for 20%, and practical politics 80%." Practical politics means not alienating anyone who harbors no hostility toward us, regardless of their label, nor dismissing anyone who has contributed to this cause. Unless we fundamentally reshape our politics to adopt a flexible and democratic stance, this movement risks reaching a breaking point.

**What is your assessment of the Kurdish people's demands and the current state of regional institutions?**

The public’s demands regarding language, identity, and existence are entirely legitimate. After 50 years of conflict, the people do not want another war; they want unity and democracy. Unfortunately, our own institutions have become heavily bureaucratized. Recently, certain figures have become associated with money, official positions, status, and public tenders. Serious investigative committees must be established to address these troubling matters and resolve public doubt. We must rid ourselves of these divisive bureaucratic tendencies.

**What constitutes the foundation for a genuine solution, and what is your message to young people who have lost faith in peace?**

True freedom does not originate from the state; it begins when an individual liberates themselves. Anyone who fails to break free from their ego, ambitions, fears, and ideological dogmas cannot deliver peace. We must not fall into pessimism; this is a period of repair. We must reach out beyond our immediate circles—to the Black Sea, the Aegean, Yozgat, and Amasya—to convey our message clearly. The steps being taken and the current legal framework represent a test of sincerity. As Öcalan noted: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." We must interpret this step correctly and foster it with genuine sincerity.

**About Bejdar Ro Amed**

Bejdar Ro Amed (born Enver Özkartal in Diyarbakır, 1969) is a journalist, author, and former prison writer. Having spent decades incarcerated, his works are featured on platforms such as Kitapyurdu.com, focusing on historical, philosophical, and social analysis. Following his career in journalism, he received a life sentence on political grounds and was held in facilities across Diyarbakır, Midyat, and Muş, among others. Through legal channels, he officially adopted his pen name, Bejdar Ro Amed, as his legal name. He continues to research and publish on historical developments, human nature, philosophy, and social structures.

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*Translations on Botan Times are assisted by Gemini AI. All content is thoroughly reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.*