Stand-up comedian Deniz Göktaş has been arrested in Istanbul on charges of inciting hatred and hostility, and insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following a performance that gained significant online traction. Göktaş was apprehended at the city's main airport upon returning from a holiday. His arrest marks the latest incident in a broader crackdown on dissent in Turkey, which has also affected activists, journalists, and other public figures.
The comedian's routine, which has reportedly garnered 9.4 million views on YouTube, led to his detention by a court in Istanbul. Supporters criticized the images of Göktaş being led away in handcuffs.
This action occurs in the lead-up to a major NATO leaders' summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara, hosted by President Erdoğan. The summit is expected to draw leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ahead of the summit, authorities have imposed a ban on demonstrations in Ankara through July 10. Over 200 individuals have been detained in recent weeks, with access to social media accounts of numerous LGBT+ organizations and activists also being blocked.
Previous detentions have included journalists, lawyers, academics, trade unionists, environmental activists, and LGBT+ campaigners. Volunteers from the Tema Foundation, a well-known Turkish environmental organization, were among those detained late in June, though most were later released. Independent Turkish media outlets have reported being denied accreditation for the NATO summit, with NATO stating it relies on the host nation for access and is in contact with Turkish authorities.