Turkish Stand-up Comedian Arrested for ‘Insulting’ Erdogan
Authorities in Turkey have arrested popular comedian Deniz Goktas after he was accused of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and ‘insulting religious values’. The arrest came after Goktas’ stand-up performance in Istanbul on 1 June was posted on YouTube and viewed nearly nine million times.
Performance Contains Satirical Jokes About Politicians
The show poked fun at politics and society in Turkey, including satirical jibes at Erdogan, jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, and Erdogan’s sons-in-law. During the show, Goktas described Erdogan as having transitioned from a ‘shy dictator’ to one who is ‘at peace with his own identity’. He also made jokes referencing the Quran and its translation.
Comedian Denies Intention to Insult
Speaking in court on Friday, Goktas pointed out he had been performing his show since 2023 and had never intended to insult either religion or the president. ‘The word ‘dictator’ is a political characterisation. It is also a subject that is frequently debated in public. I had no intention of insulting or denigrating anyone,’ he told prosecutors.
Critics Condemn Arrest as Attack on Freedom of Expression
The arrest has sparked condemnation from Turkish rights groups and politicians, who denounced it as an attack on freedom of expression and another attempt to crack down on criticism of the government. ‘Inventing a crime to arrest someone,’ wrote MP Murat Emir of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).
