Turkey: Comedian on trial for 'insulting' Erdogan in show
Deniz Goktas is accused of "insulting" President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, "praising" crime and criminals, and "inciting hatred and hostility" with jokes about Islam. Nominally, Turkey is a secular country with free speech.
A Turkish comedian, Deniz Goktas, is set to face trial in Istanbul on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a stand-up performance in June. Goktas, 32, was arrested on July 3 after his YouTube video garnered nearly 9 million views. Protesters gathered outside the courthouse on Monday morning, including fellow comedians and observers from international embassies.
Goktas faces multiple charges, including insulting the president, inciting hatred, and praising criminals. His 90-minute show was cited for jokes about Islam and a reference to the Daltons, an organized crime family. Prosecutors cited nearly 500 applications to prosecute Goktas, with the government-sponsored Diyanet providing one.
The trial highlights Turkey's ongoing crackdown on those critical of the moderate Islamist government, with hundreds of individuals facing detention or trial.
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