Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Turkey Charges Comedian Deniz Goktas Over Erdogan Jokes
Deniz Goktas is a comedian from Turkey who made jokes during a stand-up show.
Some jokes were about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, religion, and crime.
Prosecutors said the jokes went beyond normal criticism and could harm the president’s reputation.
They also said some remarks might encourage hatred toward a religious group.
Goktas was arrested in July and has stayed in jail before his trial.
Prosecutors later added another charge related to praising crime.
Turkish media said he could receive a very long prison sentence if found guilty.
His first court hearing is scheduled for September 28.
Turkish prosecutors charged comedian Deniz Goktas with insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other offenses.
The charges concern remarks made during a stand-up performance released on YouTube in June.
Goktas was arrested in early July and has remained in pre-trial detention.
Prosecutors added a charge of praising crime and criminals to the indictment dated September 3.
Turkish media estimated he could face up to a decade or more in prison if convicted on all charges.
- Who
- Turkish comedian Deniz Goktas and prosecutors accusing him of several offenses.
- What
- Goktas was charged over stand-up jokes allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, inciting public hatred, and praising crime and criminals.
- When
- The performance took place in June; Goktas was arrested in early July, and the indictment is dated September 3. His first hearing is scheduled for September 28.
- Where
- Turkey; Goktas was arrested at an airport after returning to the country.
- Why
- Prosecutors said his remarks damaged the president’s reputation, incited hostility toward a religious section of the public, and legitimized criminal acts.
Prosecutors' allegations
Comedy and criticism perspective
Meaning of the jokes
Prosecutors' allegations
Prosecutors said remarks about Erdogan exceeded the limits of criticism, damaged his honour, dignity and reputation, incited against a religious section of the public, and facilitated criminal acts.
Comedy and criticism perspective
Goktas made the remarks as part of a stand-up performance, and the reported account does not provide a detailed response from his legal team or a separate court finding that the jokes constituted crimes.
Broader political context
Prosecutors' allegations
Authorities are pursuing charges under Turkey’s criminal laws, including allegations involving presidential reputation, public hatred, and praise of crime.
Comedy and criticism perspective
The case comes amid what the report describes as a widening crackdown on people critical of Turkey’s Islamo-conservative government, including politicians, artists, musicians and journalists.
- Defendant
- Deniz Goktas, a 32-year-old comedian known for dry wit and political satire.
- Main allegation
- Insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
- Additional allegations
- Inciting public hatred and praising crime and criminals.
- Arrest
- Goktas was arrested in early July and has remained in pre-trial detention.
- Video reach
- The performance video had been viewed nearly nine million times.
- Possible sentence
- Turkish media estimated up to a decade or more in prison if convicted on all charges.
- Next court date
- The first hearing is scheduled for September 28.