DBL Entertainment announces withdrawal from projects: It had been boycotted

Özkan stated, "I would like to express that the target of my criticism is not the peaceful protest where youth exercise their constitutional rights, but rather the radical attitudes that attempt to provoke this right and create an environment of violence. As someone who has worked for years to contribute to our country through the universal language of art and culture, I am aware of the importance of finding common ground with every segment of society."

Calls for a "boycott" have been circulating for two days against DBL Entertainment, which operates under Dolmabahçe A.Ş. The remarks made by the company's owner, Abdülkadir Özkan, regarding the protests against İmamoğlu and the boycott campaign were cited as the reason for the "boycott" calls. Özkan's post on his X account labeling CHP Chairman Özgür Özel a "traitor" for his call to boycott Espressolab, as well as his targeting of the father of imprisoned Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, drew significant backlash.

Özkan, who also used the term "müptezeller" (wretches/degenerates) for those criticizing him and closed his account following the reactions, had served as a press advisor for the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) starting in 2010, for the Ministry of National Education starting in 2014, and was appointed as a chief advisor to the Prime Minister in 2015.

BOYCOTT CALLS MADE TO MUSICIANS

World-famous music group Muse and musician Ane Brun, who were set to perform in Turkey, were also informed by their Turkish fans about the boycott against their organizer, DBL Entertainment. In response to posts stating, "301 university students who want to defend their democratic rights are currently in prison. The organizer of your concert at DBL in Istanbul supports this human rights violation. We are boycotting, stand with us!", Brun replied last night, "I was not aware. I support the students. I am taking action."

In a statement made today, Brun announced that she had canceled her concert in Turkey. Brun, who had said she would "reconsider" the concert following the "boycott" calls made on social media against DBL Entertainment, announced in a social media post that she had "decided not to play in Istanbul" this October. Comedian Trevor Noah's show on April 23 was also canceled following the boycott calls against DBL Entertainment.

"I WAS MISUNDERSTOOD"

Following the show cancellations and the reactions from the artists, DBL Entertainment owner Abdülkadir Özkan also made a statement last night, saying, "This post I made has been distorted from its highly well-intentioned purpose and reflected through a perception operation as if I were criticizing protest, which is the most basic constitutional right. I am deeply saddened by this situation and the misunderstanding that has arisen."

"WE HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM PROJECTS" ANNOUNCEMENT CAME

Abdülkadir Özkan made another statement today and announced that they were withdrawing from all projects they were involved in. Özkan said, "As I do not want these achievements to remain in the shadow of personal controversies, and in order to ensure that what has happened during this process does not negatively affect my valuable team members and the projects we are conducting, we, as DBL Entertainment, are withdrawing from all of these projects."

Özkan's statement is as follows:

"I am following with sadness how a post I recently made on my personal social media account has been taken out of context, twisted into different meanings, and the sensitivity it has created in the public eye. It has deeply disturbed me that a perception has been formed as if I were targeting young people exercising their right to democratic protest while I was criticizing a violent act directed at a specific workplace.

I am a person who believes that freedom of expression and protest, which is one of Turkey's fundamental values, should be exercised in a way that is free from violence. I have always believed in the constructive and transformative power of social energy, and I continue to believe in it. However, I think that acts involving violence harm these areas of freedom and do not find resonance in the public conscience.

I would like to express that; the target of my criticism is not the peaceful protest where youth exercise their constitutional right, but the radical attitudes that attempt to provoke this right and create an environment of violence. As a person who has worked for years to contribute to our country through the universal language of art and culture, I am aware of the importance of finding common ground with every segment of society.

To date, without receiving any political or institutional support, we have brought the world's respected artists to our country solely with the vision we believe in. As a young and determined group, we have been proud to host world-class artists in Turkey, such as Andrea Bocelli, whom the world music industry has practically 'forgotten' for nearly 20 years and whom we believe our youth should watch on stage. As I do not want these achievements to remain in the shadow of personal controversies, and in order to ensure that what has happened during this process does not negatively affect my valuable team members and the projects we are conducting, we, as DBL Entertainment, are withdrawing from all of these projects.

Hoping to meet again in the climate of peace and tranquility that Turkey needs...

Abdülkadir Özkan"

News Source: 12punto