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Deniz Göktaş received separate sentences for insulting Turkey’s president and denigrating religious values. The court also ordered his release.
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An Istanbul court sentenced comedian Deniz Göktaş on 28 September to a total of one year, seven months and five days in prison over remarks in a stand-up performance, and ordered his release. He received 11 months and 20 days for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and seven months and 15 days for denigrating religious values. The Media and Law Studies Association reported that he was released after the verdict. [2] [3]
The court acquitted Göktaş of praising crime and criminals. It also found that the elements of incitement to hatred were not met, while convicting him of denigrating religious values. [2] [3]
In his defence, Göktaş argued that describing Erdoğan as a dictator was a political characterisation rather than an insult. He also denied intending to denigrate religious values in a joke concerning religion. [3] [4]
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