Deniz Göktaş's lawyer: Video was shot 4-5 times in a row for police cameras

Göktaş, whose photo with reverse handcuffs became a topic of discussion and drew reactions, gave his statement at the Çağlayan Courthouse. Göktaş was arrested by the judgeship to which he was referred. His lawyer, Metin Sinan Aslan, who spoke about Göktaş—who was first sent to Metris Prison and then transferred to the high-security Çorlu Karatepe Prison—participated in Banu Güven's podcast on Kısa Dalga.

Aslan made striking statements regarding the illegalities in the process and his client's health status. Stating that the images of his client in reverse handcuffs that were reflected in the press while being taken to the police station were not natural, Aslan said:

"He surrendered at the airport in his swim shorts and with his backpack. He did not have the slightest resistance. However, that footage of him entering the police station is a production shot 4-5 times in a row, with 'go down, come up' instructions for the police cameras. They wanted to send a message to lynch mobs in society."

Aslan also stated that although the file only contained charges of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility" and "insulting the President," Göktaş was taken to the forensic medicine department on the night of his detention and subjected to drug testing via hair, follicle, and nail samples. Lawyer Aslan stated that after receiving the power of attorney, they would examine the legal basis for this practice and take the necessary steps.

"Disturbing"

Drawing attention to the recently heightened tension and death threats made on social media, Aslan said, "Especially the day before yesterday, a well-known individual practically inciting people to kill is disturbing. My client is a young person. I was worried that someone in our country might take it upon themselves to act. Starting next week, we will exercise our legal rights regarding these threats." Stating that Göktaş's health and morale are good, Aslan noted that while the prison does not receive sunlight due to its architectural structure, they consider his stay in a single-person cell for security reasons to be important at this stage.

"The prosecutor did not watch the show"

Touching upon the prosecutor's interrogation during the investigation process, Lawyer Aslan stated that the prosecutor likely did not watch the 90-minute stand-up show in its entirety and only asked questions based on the written text in front of him:

"Explaining every joke one makes to every person is a burden, but it must be quite painful for a comedian, I suppose. Especially in the 'hasema' (full-body swimsuit) and diver joke, he was exposing the hypocritical attitude of the secular part of society. He was actually standing with the 'other side.' But they either couldn't understand this or didn't want to. There is a new political-theological sense of humor here; there is absolutely no intent to target a specific group."

"I told the prosecutor, 'With this arrest request, you are refuting the President'"

Speaking about the "insulting the President" charge directed at Göktaş and drawing attention to the current precedents of the Turkish judiciary, Aslan reminded that even recently, the Court of Cassation has issued rulings stating that the term "dictator" is not an insult but a political assessment:

"President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also has statements made to foreign journalists such as, 'If I were a dictator, could you ask this?' During the interrogation, I told the prosecutor, 'With this arrest request, you are refuting the President and justifying Deniz's characterization,' but it was not taken into account."

Striking dialogue with Kılıçdaroğlu at the courthouse

Touching upon the fact that CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who returned to his post by court order on the day of the hearing, came to the courthouse and met with Göktaş, Aslan said that Kılıçdaroğlu did not enter the interrogation but visited Göktaş in the meantime.

Aslan recounted the dialogue between the two with these words:

"Kemal Bey conveyed his get-well wishes. He asked, 'Is there anything we can do?' Deniz said, 'No, there is nothing you can do. For the sake of millions of young people, just let go of the CHP.' Kemal Bey nodded and left."

"We reject the resignation in society"

Stating that they will appeal the detention decision within two weeks, Aslan conveyed that they expect the case to be opened in a very short time, but they foresee that the hearings cannot be held before autumn due to the judicial recess. Aslan concluded his words by saying, "We reject the resignation in society that says, 'He was going to be arrested anyway, nothing will come of an appeal.' There are still judges in the system who make good decisions; we will continue our legal struggle."

News Source: 12punto