Backlash grows over the detention of comedian Deniz Göktaş

Comedian Deniz Göktaş was detained at Istanbul Airport as part of an investigation launched after some videos from his stand-up show "Ölü Deniz" (Dead Sea) were shared on social media. The prosecutor's office announced that it is conducting an ex officio investigation into Göktaş on charges of "publicly degrading religious values adopted by a section of the public," based on 185 applications to the Presidential Communication Center (CİMER).

The detention of Deniz Göktaş, whose processing at the police station is ongoing, has drawn reactions from various political parties and professional organizations. In addition to parties such as DEM, TİP, and EMEP, the Actors' Union and the Istanbul Chamber of Physicians also shared messages of solidarity with the artist and called for his release.

JOINT REACTION FROM POLITICAL PARTIES AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

In its statement on the matter, the DEM Party stated that they find the pressure on freedom of expression and thought against Deniz Göktaş, who was targeted following his stand-up show, unacceptable, emphasizing that "political satire cannot be put on trial," and demanded Göktaş's immediate release.

The Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) stated that they view Göktaş being targeted by pro-government circles following the broadcast of his show and his subsequent detention at the airport as an "attempt to intimidate dissenting voices," and expressed that they stand with the artist.

The Labour Party (EMEP) described the fact that Göktaş was detained after his stand-up show reached millions of views in a short time and contained criticism of the regime as "a practice that confirms the criticism of dictatorship." At the same time, they called for the struggle for democracy and freedom to be expanded.

The Actors' Union announced that they are following Göktaş's detention with concern. Reminding that freedom of thought and artistic expression are guaranteed by both the Constitution and international conventions, they stated, "We are in solidarity with our colleague."

The Istanbul Chamber of Physicians, recalling that Göktaş donated all the proceeds from an event he organized for healthcare workers last year to a scholarship fund, pointed out that freedom of expression is indispensable for a society to exist in a healthy way and demanded the artist's release.

News Source: 12punto