Turkish comedian held pending trial over alleged insults to Erdogan and religious values

His stand-up act spread rapidly online, reaching more than nine million views on YouTube by Friday while circulating widely on X, Instagram and other social platforms

Turkish President and Leader of the Justice and Development (AK) Party, Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses party members during the AK Party Group Meeting at the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye in Ankara, Turkiye on February 25, 2026.

(photo credit: Rasit Aydogan/Anadolu via Getty Images)

ByREUTERS

JULY 3, 2026 16:37

Updated: JULY 3, 2026 16:43

A Turkish court ordered comedian Deniz Goktas held in custody pending trial on Friday on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and religious values, according to a court document reviewed by Reuters. The move came days after prosecutors began probing remarks he delivered on stage.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced earlier this week that it had opened an inquiry after spotting what officials called criminal content in material Goktas posted on social media. Authorities took him into custody at Istanbul Airport upon his return from overseas on Thursday.

Prosecutors indicated the probe centers on claims that Goktas insulted religious values in a June 1 stand-up show in Istanbul, where he referenced Erdogan, the Koran and jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

Insulting the president ranks among the accusations, Goktas' lawyer Metin Aslan stated in a social media post.

His performance spread rapidly online, reaching more than nine million views on YouTube by Friday while circulating widely on X, Instagram and other social platforms.

Goktas stated he plans to return to Turkey

Several figures from Erdogan's ruling AK Party and presidential advisers criticized Goktas on social media, accusing him of mocking Erdogan and the Quran.

In a statement to police, Goktas rejected the accusations, asserting his jokes did not insult religious values or the Koran, according to broadcaster Haberturk. He added that calling Erdogan a dictator represented a political description rather than an insult.

Following speculation he had departed Turkey to evade prosecution, Goktas posted on social media earlier this week that he had traveled abroad for vacation and intended to return.

"I intend to spend many more years in Turkey and if there is a situation demanding my presence, I will return on the next flight back," he wrote.