Kenan Evren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kenan Evren
|
|
|---|---|
.png)
Kenan Evren during the state visit to the United States in June 1988
|
|
| 7th President of Turkey | |
| In office 12 September 1980 – 9 November 1989 |
|
| Prime Minister | Bülend Ulusu Turgut Özal |
| Preceded by | İhsan Sabri Çağlayangil (acting) Fahri Korutürk |
| Succeeded by | Turgut Özal |
| Chief of the General Staff of Turkey | |
| In office 7 March 1978 – 1 July 1983 |
|
| Preceded by | Semih Sancar |
| Succeeded by | Nurettin Ersin |
| Commander of the Turkish Army | |
| In office 5 September 1977 – 6 March 1978 |
|
| Preceded by | Semih Sancar |
| Succeeded by | Nurettin Ersin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 July 1917 Alaşehir, Ottoman Empire |
| Died | 9 May 2015 (aged 97) Ankara, Turkey |
| Resting place | Turkish State Cemetery |
| Nationality | Turkish |
| Spouse |
Sekine Evren
(m. 1944; died 1982) |
| Children | 3 |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Turkey |
| Branch/service | Turkish Land Forces |
| Years of service | 1938–1983 |
| Rank | General |
Ahmet Kenan Evren (born July 17, 1917 – died May 9, 2015) was a Turkish soldier and politician. He became the seventh President of Turkey from 1980 to 1989. He took this role after leading a military takeover in 1980.
In 2014, a Turkish court sentenced him to life in prison. This was because he led the 1980 military takeover. He was accused of stopping democracy by removing the prime minister and changing the government. This sentence was still being reviewed when he passed away.
Contents
Biography and Early Life
Kenan Evren was born in Alaşehir, a town in Manisa Province, Turkey. His father was from Albania, and his mother was of Turkish background from Bulgaria. He went to school in Manisa, Balıkesir, and Istanbul. Later, he attended military high school in Maltepe, Ankara.
He graduated from army school in 1938. In 1949, he finished military academy and became a staff officer. From 1958 to 1959, he served in the Turkish Brigade in Korea. In 1964, he was promoted to the rank of General. Evren held many important positions in the army. He became the Chief of General Staff in March 1978.
The 1980 Military Takeover
The years before the 1980 military takeover were a time of strong disagreements in Turkey. Different political groups had many conflicts. Universities often became places where these groups gathered.
After the takeover, the National Security Council became the main ruling group. Kenan Evren, as the Chief of Staff, was the head of this council. The parliament, which makes laws, was closed down.
President of Turkey
After the military takeover, Kenan Evren was chosen as President of Turkey on November 7, 1982. This happened after a new constitution was approved by a large number of votes. He believed this new constitution was needed to bring stability to Turkey.
As president, Evren limited some civil liberties and human rights. He said this was necessary to make the country stable again. He greatly admired Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who founded the Republic of Turkey.
Evren took strong actions to prevent political groups from clashing violently again. The new constitution also aimed to limit the political involvement of young people.
Life After Presidency
After he retired, Kenan Evren moved to Armutalan, a town in Marmaris, Turkey. He spent his time painting.
In 2006, a plan to harm Evren was stopped. Two men were arrested in Muğla. There was also a similar attempt in 1996, which was also prevented by the police.
After the death of former Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit, Evren said he felt sorry about the arrest of political leaders after the 1980 takeover. However, he continued to defend the takeover itself.
Trial and Legal Proceedings
On January 10, 2012, Turkish courts decided to bring charges against General Kenan Evren. This was for his role in the 1980 military takeover. Prosecutors asked for him to be sentenced to life in prison.
The first court hearing for the case was on April 4, 2012. On June 18, 2014, a court in Ankara sentenced him to life in prison. He was also to be lowered in military rank to a private. However, this decision was appealed, and he passed away before the final court decision. Because of this, the change in his military rank was not made final. On his gravestone, he is remembered as the seventh President of Turkey.
Personal Life
Kenan Evren married Sekine Evren in 1944. They had three daughters named Şenay, Gülay, and Miray. Sekine passed away in 1982. In 1990, he received the Atatürk International Peace Prize.
Illness and Passing
.jpg)
Evren was hospitalized on August 3, 2009, due to serious internal bleeding. This happened in Yalıkavak, Bodrum, where his summer home was. He was in intensive care and had a temporary pacemaker. Later, a part of his large intestine was removed. He was discharged from the hospital in September 2009.
Kenan Evren passed away at a military hospital in Ankara on May 9, 2015, at the age of 97. His funeral was held on May 12 at Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque. He was buried in the Turkish State Cemetery in Ankara. Only his close family and military staff attended the funeral. Some people protested during the religious service.
See also
In Spanish: Kenan Evren para niños
