He had told Kılıçdaroğlu to 'let go of the CHP': Comments on İmamoğlu from Deniz Göktaş, who was visited by Özgür Özel

Comedian Deniz Göktaş was targeted by circles close to the government after he released his show titled 'Ölü Deniz' (Dead Sea), which he performed in Harbiye, on YouTube.

Göktaş, against whom allegations were made that he had fled abroad, stated that he was on vacation abroad and declared, "I will be in the country for many years to come."

Later, an investigation was launched against Göktaş on charges of 'degrading religious values,' and he was detained during passport control after entering Turkey on July 2.

Göktaş, whose images in handcuffs were circulated, was arrested on charges of degrading religious values and insulting the president, and was sent to Çorlu Karatepe High-Security Prison.

Journalist Barış Pehlivan reported that they had spoken with Göktaş's lawyer, Metin Aslan, following the arrest decision, and alleged that Göktaş had told Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who had come to the courthouse, to "let go of the CHP."

While Kılıçdaroğlu's press advisor Atakan Sönmez denied Pehlivan's claim, Göktaş's lawyers confirmed that he had indeed said "let go of the CHP."

While the dialogue between the Göktaş camp and Kılıçdaroğlu remains a topic of discussion, CHP's elected Chairman Özgür Özel went to Tekirdağ Karatepe Prison yesterday to visit Göktaş. Recounting the conversations he had with Göktaş, Özel also touched upon the jokes about İmamoğlu.

Speaking to İsmail Saymaz from Halk TV, here are Özel's statements regarding Göktaş;

How did your visit go? What did Göktaş say?

His morale was good. He was pleased. He said, "You gave me strength, it was good, it boosted my morale too." We had a pleasant chat, it was sincere. We talked about mutual acquaintances. We mentioned Doğu Demirtaş, the first person to be arrested at Boğaziçi University. Doğu always tells stories about me visiting him. They used to chat with Doğu. Deniz, of course, knows me very well. I know him from the place called 'TuzBiber'; his stand-up sets there were sent to our family's WhatsApp group very often, that's how I know him. We talked about those. Then I called his father and spoke with his mother.

Was he surprised to see you?

He was happy. He came, hugged, and kissed me. I went at 9 AM on Sunday, I said, "We came a bit early." He said, "He was very pleased, it boosted his morale."

How are the prison conditions, did he describe them?

There is nothing missing, he said, "They are treating me very well and my conditions are good. There is nothing I can complain about."

Is he staying alone?

He is staying alone, a television was provided quickly. He is watching television. He says, "That was good. At first, the concept of time was a bit off, but with the television and books, there is no problem."

His lawyer explained; the images of him with his hands cuffed behind his back were filmed four or five times. Did he mention this to you?

Exactly. He said, "They made me walk five times. I smiled in the front shots. They released the shot from behind so they wouldn't show my smiling image." Like a film set. They brought me back and made me walk the same path again. He says, "We walked the same scene 4-5 times specifically." He says, "They filmed it every time, and since I always smiled when they pointed the camera at my face, apparently they did it again and again... I stayed very upbeat. Because I gave smiling photos, they didn't use those, they used the photo with the handcuffs behind my back."

Did he foresee that these things might happen to him when the show was released?

Especially when the lynching started, he says, "I foresaw it."

Did he think about not returning from abroad?

No, he didn't think about it. He says, "What was I going to do, not return? Since I didn't go with the intention of fleeing, I had to return, and I returned immediately."

What kind of impression did you get?

Shall I tell you something? I already felt indebted to him.

Why?

The country has turned into a place where political satire cannot be performed, and we are the main opposition party of the country after all. In fact, I said at the group meeting; "I promise a Turkey where Deniz can practice his art freely." My belief, determination, and responsibility regarding that matter have increased, I felt that. He is a bright, clean kid.

He also takes a jab at İmamoğlu in his show, was this topic brought up at all?

He said, "Later, I wondered if criticizing someone in prison might have upset Mayor Ekrem." I said, "I know him very well, he must have enjoyed it very much." He sent his regards to Mayor Ekrem, and Mayor Ekrem said, "I liked it very much, they were great jokes. He shouldn't have any worries."

What did his mother and father say to you?

They thanked me. They asked, "We are fine, is he okay?" His father lives in Mamak, he seems to be someone with high political consciousness. There will be a separate meeting with them when I go to Ankara.