Detained after stand-up show: Deniz Göktaş's police statement revealed

The police statement of comedian Deniz Göktaş, who was detained as part of an investigation into his stand-up show titled "Ölü Deniz," has been revealed. In his statement, Göktaş denied the accusations against him, asserting that the expressions he used in the show were not intended as insults or degradation.

Göktaş, who was on vacation abroad, was detained during passport control at the airport upon his return to Istanbul on Thursday, July 2. The comedian spent the night at the Istanbul Police Department's Vatan Street campus before being transferred to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan for prosecution procedures.

INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED UNDER TWO CHARGES

The investigation, carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, charges Deniz Göktaş with "insulting the President" and "publicly degrading religious values adopted by a section of the public."

In his police statement, Göktaş denied both charges.

"I HAVE NO INTENTION OF DEGRADING THE PRESIDENT"

Regarding the charge of "insulting the President," Göktaş stated that he did not act with any intent to insult.

In his police statement, he said, "I have no intention of degrading the President in any way. The word 'dictator' is a political characterization and is a subject that is frequently discussed openly in the public sphere."

"I CERTAINLY HAD NO INTENTION OF HURTING A BELIEVER"

Addressing the charge of "publicly degrading religious values adopted by a section of the public," Göktaş stated that he had no such intent.

Noting that he has been performing the same show in different cities across Turkey for about three years, Göktaş said, "More than 100 thousand spectators have watched this show, and no complaints have been received from any of them regarding this part being offensive."

Explaining the expressions he used in the show, Göktaş stated, "I call it my favorite book. I say the sentence 'there is a problem with the translation' in reference to the debates on the interpretation of the Quran that I have heard for years. I certainly have no intention of hurting a believer."

DETENTION FOOTAGE CAUSES STIR

In footage reflected in the press, it was seen that Deniz Göktaş was held with reverse handcuffs while being detained.

After completing his procedures at the police station, Göktaş was transferred to the Istanbul Courthouse for his statement to the prosecutor.

CALLS FOR SUPPORT IN ÇAĞLAYAN

Following Göktaş's transfer to the courthouse, a support gathering was held in front of the Istanbul Courthouse at the call of political parties and various professional organizations.

While security measures were increased around the courthouse, an Intervention Vehicle for Social Incidents (TOMA) was dispatched to the area.

Statements made at the gathering demanded the release of Deniz Göktaş.

Speaking on behalf of the Actors' Union, actor Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu said, "We demand that our colleague Deniz Göktaş be released as soon as possible and that the process be carried out in accordance with the law. Deniz Göktaş is not alone."

HOW DID THE INVESTIGATION START?

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that 185 separate complaints had been filed against Deniz Göktaş to the Presidential Communication Center (CİMER).

The stand-up show "Ölü Deniz," which is the subject of the investigation, was published on Göktaş's YouTube channel on June 24. As of July 3, the show reached 9.2 million views.

Two separate clips taken from the show were blocked from access on social media platforms in Turkey.

HE HAD MADE A STATEMENT BEFORE GOING ABROAD AND UPON HIS RETURN

In a post on June 28, Deniz Göktaş announced that he had gone on a pre-planned trip abroad for vacation and that he would come to Turkey on the first flight if there was a situation requiring his return.

In another post on June 29, he stated, "The entire show is still on YouTube. Many questions have been asked; there is no official information reaching me. If there is, I will inform you here. Regardless of what happens, I have no plans to live or perform stand-up outside of Turkey, because it wouldn't be the same."

On the other hand, on June 27, Samet Bağcı, Deputy Chairman of the Great Unity Party (BBP) responsible for Legal Affairs, had announced that they would initiate legal proceedings, claiming that religious values were insulted in the show.

ARRESTED

An arrest warrant was issued for comedian Deniz Göktaş, who was detained and investigated for the crime of "publicly degrading religious values adopted by a section of the public."