Turkish comedian Deniz Göktaş released after conviction for insulting Erdoğan

An Istanbul court has convicted popular stand-up comedian Deniz Göktaş of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, sentencing him to 18 months behind bars. However, authorities ordered his immediate release due to the 90 days he has already spent in custody. The judge also imposed a travel ban, restricting Göktaş from leaving Turkey pending a final appeal decision.

Göktaş, whose video performances have garnered over 15 million views on YouTube, was arrested in July upon returning to Istanbul from vacation. Prosecutors had initially sought a sentence of up to 12 years for his routine, which included describing the president as a “shy dictator.”

During the Monday hearing, Göktaş maintained that his remarks were political commentary rather than criminal defamation. He told the court, “Dictator is not an insult; it is a political characterisation,” while denying any criminal intent.

Despite enduring nearly three months in solitary confinement, the comedian kept spirits high with jokes. On the stand, he remarked, “Three months have been taken away from my life, but I quit smoking, so I’ll add another three months to my life,” drawing laughter and applause from observers.

Outside the courthouse, supporters celebrated the outcome. Firat Aksal, a fellow comedian, expressed disbelief at the verdict, stating, “We hardly know what to do with our happiness. We were thrilled. To be honest, we weren’t hopeful of getting a fair trial.” Aksal confirmed that Göktaş plans to rest briefly before returning to performing.

Göktaş’s case highlights a broader crackdown on dissent in Turkey, with human rights groups reporting numerous arrests of journalists, activists, and political figures. Among those still detained is Ekrem Imamoglu, the elected mayor of Istanbul. While Göktaş is expected to be freed soon, Turkey’s prisons remain overcrowded with individuals held on charges of opposing the government.