Message from Deniz Göktaş after arrest decision: 'They won't be able to steal our joy'

Taking the stage at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theater on June 1, Deniz Göktaş attracted significant interest from art lovers with his stand-up performance titled 'Dead Sea'. After the show was uploaded to YouTube on June 24 and the video reached approximately 10 million views in a short time, the jokes in the content drew criticism and targeting, particularly from circles close to the government.

Göktaş, who had gone abroad with friends after the show, returned to Turkey due to the judicial process initiated against him. The comedian was detained at Istanbul Airport and referred to the courthouse following police procedures.

Following his interrogation at the Criminal Court of Peace, Deniz Göktaş was arrested and sent to prison on allegations of 'insulting the President' and 'denigrating religious values'.

According to journalist Barış Pehlivan, Göktaş demonstrated his resolve by telling his lawyers, "They won't be able to steal our joy." He also sent a remarkable message to CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who came to support him, saying, "Leave the CHP alone."

"YOU CANNOT IMPRISON ART AND THE ARTIST"

CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who came to the Çağlayan Courthouse to show support after the decision, was met with protests and left the courthouse through the back door. Making a statement upon leaving the courthouse, Kılıçdaroğlu criticized the judicial decision with the following words:

"It is impossible for a state that does not protect art and the artist to catch up with contemporary civilization.

Therefore, we never, ever find Mr. Deniz's arrest to be right. He came to Turkey with his backpack on his back. Let me state it again; he came to Turkey with his backpack on his back. He has no intention of fleeing.

You may criticize him, but you cannot imprison art and the artist. This is not right. It harms democracy, it harms human rights"