An Istanbul court convicted comedian Deniz Goktas on Monday for insulting President Tayyip Erdogan and for inciting hatred, sentencing him to over 19 months in prison. However, the court ordered his release after he had already spent nearly three months in pre-trial detention, pending an appeal.
The conviction and subsequent release of Deniz Goktas highlight ongoing tensions in Turkey regarding freedom of expression, particularly for artists and satirists critical of the government and its values. The case underscores the legal risks faced by individuals who engage in political satire in the country.
An Istanbul court convicted popular comedian Deniz Goktas on Monday of insulting President Tayyip Erdogan and inciting public hatred, sentencing him to over 19 months in prison. However, the court ordered his release, taking into account the nearly three months he had already spent in pre-trial detention.
Goktas, 32, was detained in early July after remarks made during a stand-up performance in Istanbul, which included references to Erdogan, the Koran, and jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, went viral online. The performance garnered millions of views on YouTube and other social media platforms.
He was sentenced to 11 months and 20 days for "insulting the president" and seven months and 15 days for "publicly inciting hatred and enmity" and "insulting religious values." Under Turkish law, convicts are generally freed on license after serving a proportion of their sentence, and sentences of less than five years may allow for release depending on circumstances and judicial discretion.
Goktas denied the charges, arguing that his remarks constituted political commentary and satire rather than an insult. He stated that his intention was humorous and that he rejected the charges brought against him. Supporters gathered outside the courthouse calling for his release.
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