Statement from Deniz Göktaş regarding claims he fled abroad: 'To those sharing it like an intelligence report...'

Comedian Deniz Göktaş has issued a statement regarding claims circulating on social media that he "fled abroad" following his stand-up show titled "Ölü Deniz" (Dead Sea) at Harbiye.

After Göktaş, who has been the subject of recent social media debates due to his politically charged comedy, traveled abroad, some accounts began sharing posts suggesting he had left Turkey for good.

Responding to these claims on his X account, Göktaş stated that his trip was a vacation he had planned for a long time. Reacting to posts that interpreted his departure in different ways, the comedian reminded everyone that he had recently paid his mandatory military service fee and said he would continue to live in Turkey.

"I WILL BE IN THE COUNTRY FOR MANY YEARS TO COME"

In his post, Göktaş said, "They would also see that I paid a hefty mandatory military service fee on June 22. I will be in the country for many years to come." He added that if any development were to occur requiring his presence in Turkey, he would return on the first flight.

Göktaş used the following expressions in his statement on his social media account:

"Hello, just as I dreamed of all year, as soon as my tour and editing were finished, I came on vacation to be with my friends with 3 t-shirts and 3 pairs of boxers. I don't know if it's shameful for me to travel, but those who share it like an intelligence report would also see that I paid a hefty mandatory military service fee on June 22; I will be in the country for many years to come :)

If there is a situation that requires me to be in Turkey, I will return on the first flight; the number of t-shirts is the only thing making it difficult."