Turkish Court Orders Detention of Stand-Up Comedian Over Performance

A court in Istanbul ordered the pre-trial detention of stand-up comedian Deniz Göktaş on Friday after prosecutors charged him with insulting the president and publicly denigrating religious values. Göktaş was arrested upon returning from a holiday and taken to the Çağlayan courthouse for questioning.

The court granted the detention request following 185 complaints filed over a video recorded on 1 June and posted to YouTube on 24 June.

The 9.4-million-view routine included references to the president that prosecutors said insulted him. Göktaş told prosecutors he had performed the material in multiple Turkish cities for nearly three years and had not intended to offend anyone. Turkey's religious affairs directorate referenced the performance in its weekly sermon read in mosques nationwide, stating that digital platforms were distancing children from religious values.

The detention occurs as Turkish authorities prepare for a 7-8 July NATO leaders' summit in Ankara. More than 200 people have been detained in recent weeks, and access to social media accounts of numerous LGBT+ organizations has been blocked. A ban on demonstrations in Ankara remains in place until 10 July.

Independent Turkish media outlets reported being denied accreditation for the event. Supporters gathered outside the courthouse on Friday to protest the detention. Opposition figures, including former CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, called for Göktaş's release.