Concert ban expanded in Istanbul: All events halted

The events of the music groups Behemoth and Slaughter to Prevail, which were scheduled to perform in Istanbul on February 10 and 11, were canceled after being targeted on social media. In line with the decision taken, it was announced that all events at the Zorlu Performing Arts Center have been banned for a period of two days.

THEY WERE TARGETED ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Prior to the scheduled concerts, both groups were targeted by certain circles on social media. Claims were made in the posts that the groups insulted religious values and that the concerts should therefore be canceled.

Following these developments, the Beşiktaş District Governorate announced that the concerts in question had been canceled. The Governorate stated that the concerts of the Behemoth and Slaughter to Prevail groups were banned on the grounds that they were "contrary to social values."

THE BAN WAS NOT LIMITED TO CONCERTS

The decision of the Beşiktaş District Governorate was not limited to the two concerts. In the statement made, it was stated that all concerts, festivals, and public and ticketed events to be held within the Zorlu Performing Arts Center and Zorlu Center were banned for a period of two days.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE DISTRICT GOVERNORATE

The statement made by the Beşiktaş District Governorate included the following expressions:

“As a result of the work carried out regarding the concert events to be organized by the group named ‘SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL’ on February 10 at 21.30 and by the group named ‘BEHEMOTH’ on February 11 at 21.30 at the Zorlu Performing Arts Center Turkcell Stage, located within the borders of our district;

It has been determined that the events have caused reactions from many segments of society because they do not align with our social values.

For this reason; in accordance with Articles 17 and 22 of the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No. 2911 and Article 32/Ç of the Provincial Administration Law No. 5442;

A decision has been made to ban all kinds of concerts, festivals, public and ticketed programs, etc., and other events within Zorlu PSM and Zorlu Center for a period of 2 days, from 00.01 on 10.02.2026 to 23.59 on 11.02.2026.”

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR GÜL

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül also made a statement regarding the decision via his social media account. In his post, Governor Gül used the following expressions:

“No activity that corrupts society has been permitted in Istanbul to date, and none will be permitted in the future.”

İstanbul’da toplumu ifsat eden hiçbir faaliyete bugüne kadar izin verilmemiştir ve bundan sonra da verilmeyecektir. https://t.co/TQngbtiB6r

— Davut GÜL (@gul_davut) February 10, 2026

FIRST STATEMENT FROM THE GROUP

Following the cancellation of the concerts, Alex Terrible, the vocalist of the Slaughter to Prevail group, made a statement on his social media account. Terrible expressed the following regarding the cancellation of the Istanbul concerts:

“I received the news that the Turkey concert was canceled. We learned that an Islamic group, which exerts pressure on the elected government, claimed that we were spreading satanic propaganda; this is absolutely not true. I believe in God. Our guitarist Jack performs on stage with an Orthodox cross on his chest. However, there is nothing we can do against the government of the Republic of Turkey. I would like to state with respect that I do not know what to do. This is a very sensitive situation.”

News Source: 12punto