Turkish Comedian Deniz Göktaş Goes on Trial Over Alleged Erdoğan Insult

Turkish comedian Deniz Göktaş is appearing before an Istanbul court on Monday over allegations arising from jokes and remarks in his stand-up show, including charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The 32-year-old comedian was arrested on July 3 after prosecutors opened an investigation into his stand-up performance, titled Ölü Deniz (Dead Sea). A recording of the show, released on YouTube in June, attracted millions of views and included references to Erdoğan, the Quran and imprisoned Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

Göktaş has remained in custody since his arrest and is facing three charges: publicly insulting the president, publicly inciting or humiliating the public towards hatred and hostility, and praising a crime or criminal. His case is being heard by the Istanbul 14th Criminal Court of First Instance.

The indictment has produced differing estimates in Turkish media about the potential sentence. Recent reports put the requested range at between 2 years and 2 months and 9 years and 8 months, while earlier reports cited a possible maximum of 12 years and 2 months. The difference appears to reflect how the charges and sentencing provisions are being calculated by different outlets.

Ahead of Monday’s hearing, Göktaş posted a message from Karatepe High-Security Prison, where he has been held. He joked about being handcuffed for the first time in 88 days and hearing car horns again as he was taken to court.

Supporters and fellow comedians gathered outside the Çağlayan courthouse in Istanbul ahead of the hearing, while police maintained a security presence. Reports also said representatives from the US consulate and Dutch embassy were among observers expected at the proceedings.

Göktaş has continued making occasional posts on X from prison, using humour to describe his experience behind bars. In one post, he joked that a 90-minute comedy show had generated another criminal charge months later, referring to the additional allegation of praising crime and criminals.

The comedian’s case comes amid wider concerns among rights groups and opposition figures about legal action against critics of President Erdoğan’s government. Those broader claims are contested, and Göktaş’s trial will determine the legal consequences of the specific allegations brought against him.