The first hearing in the trial of comedian Deniz Göktaş on charges of “insulting the President,” “inciting the public to hatred and hostility or degrading the public” and “praising crime and criminals” was held at Istanbul 14th Criminal Court of First Instance. The court acquitted him of “praising crime and criminals.” It treated the charge of “inciting the public to hatred and hostility or degrading the public” as “degrading religious values” and sentenced Göktaş to seven months and 15 days in prison, and to 11 months and 20 days for “insulting the President.” The court ordered the release of Göktaş, who had been detained for 88 days.
28 September 2026
Sendika.Org