Cem Akarsu, arrested over 'He who doesn't jump is a Tayyipperson' slogan, released
Artist Cem Akarsu, who was arrested on charges of "insulting the president" for chanting "He who doesn't jump is a Tayyipperson" at the Resistance Spring Festival held in Maçka Democracy Park to draw attention to students in prison, has been released.
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Artist Cem Akarsu was released today following his arrest for chanting "He who doesn't jump is a Tayyipperson" at a festival in Istanbul's Maçka Park.
Akarsu, who took the stage as part of the "Resistance Spring Festival" held at Maçka Democracy Park on May 24, was detained and subsequently arrested on charges of "insulting the president" due to the slogan "Jump, jump, he who doesn't jump is a Tayyipperson" that he used during his performance. Guitarist Kaan Kaplan, who performed at the same event, had been released under judicial control.
Akarsu's lawyers described the arrest as disproportionate, reacting to the decision by stating, "In this country, playing the guitar and holding a microphone are now considered crimes." The arts community and human rights defenders had called for solidarity against the arrest on social media and various platforms.