The Presidency of Religious Affairs launched an investigation into imam Yusuf Kılıç after he sent a message of solidarity to the family of comedian Deniz Göktaş following Göktaş’s detention. After images of Göktaş in handcuffs were published, Kılıç sent his family the message, “As an imam, I stand with you, my brother Deniz.” After the message became public, Kılıç was summoned to the Presidency of Religious Affairs in Ankara on 27 August and submitted a defense. Kılıç had previously faced two disciplinary investigations after stating that he had refused a request to take members of his mosque congregation to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s rally in İzmir.
22 September 2026
Artı Gerçek