UPDATE – 27 July 2026: A Turkish court has rejected an appeal seeking the release of comedian Deniz Göktaş, who has been held in pre-trial detention since 3 July. Göktaş’s lawyers challenged his detention and requested his release, arguing that there were no concrete grounds for keeping him in custody and that his statements fell within the bounds of freedom of expression and political satire.
Comedian Deniz Göktaş’s stand-up show “Ölü Deniz/ Dead Sea,” performed across Türkiye for nearly three years, has come under government scrutiny due to the political topics it addresses. The show, which went viral on social media after Göktaş shared it on YouTube on 24 June, drew wide attention for addressing many of Türkiye’s political taboos, including the Kurdish issue, founder of modern Turkey Atatürk, current President Erdoğan, imprisoned opposition figures, celebrity drug raids, gangs and current political events.
In a climate where censorship and self-censorship have become normalised, the performance was widely embraced by the public. However, pro-government figures and institutions quickly reacted. After pro-government figures accused Göktaş of insulting President Erdoğan, the comedian was targeted by social media trolls and clips of the show shared on X were blocked in Türkiye on the grounds of “protecting national security and public order.”
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office later launched an investigation into Göktaş on charges of “insulting religious values.” Upon returning from abroad, he was taken into custody at Istanbul Airport with his hands cuffed behind his back. After giving a statement, he was arrested on 3 July on charges of “insulting the President” and “insulting religious values”.
In the letter he wrote from prison, Göktaş said he had not shared the performance for attention or out of bravery, but because he was exhausted by fear and self-censorship. “My frustration has overcome my fear”, he said.
An access blocking order was later issued for the YouTube video under Article 8/A of Law No. 5651, though YouTube has not yet removed it. Göktaş’s Instagram account was also no longer accessible at the time of publication.
Freemuse calls for Göktaş’s immediate release and urges Turkish authorities to drop charges against him. Artistic freedom and political satire must be protected.
