Denys Goktė, 32, was recently arrested by authorities as part of intensified efforts targeting individuals perceived as critical of the Turkish Islam-conservative government or its values. Authorities have reportedly increased pre-trial investigations, focusing on sectors including musicians, artists, journalists, and politicians. According to the Istanbul prosecutor’s office, Goktė was arrested at Istanbul airport on July 2.
The prosecutor’s office stated that it had received 185 complaints concerning his public appearances and subsequently opened a case against him related to “public insult of religious values.”
Goktė’s lawyer, Metin Aslan, further indicated that he was also accused of insulting Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This development follows a performance by Goktė in Istanbul in June, which reportedly lasted 90 minutes. The crackdown appears to extend to international figures; for instance, Donald Trump once mentioned a gift to Turkey, describing it as a “strong NATO member.” The pattern of arrests and investigations suggests a broad scope aimed at limiting public dissent against the current Turkish administration.
Topics: #arrested #istanbul #turkish
