Turkish comedian convicted over Erdoğan insult, ordered released

An Istanbul court has found comedian Deniz Göktaş guilty of insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, handing him a sentence of nearly 19 months. However, because Göktaş had already spent close to three months in custody since his arrest in July, the court ordered his release. He has also been placed under a travel ban preventing him from leaving Turkey. The court of appeals will issue the final decision in the case.

Prosecutors had originally sought up to 12 years in prison. Göktaş denied the charges throughout. At the centre of the case is a line from his stand-up routine, which has drawn more than 15 million views online, in which he referred to Erdoğan as "a shy dictator." Göktaş has argued the remark carried no criminal intent, insisting that calling someone a dictator is a political characterisation rather than an insult.

The comedian was arrested and handcuffed at Istanbul airport in July as he returned from a holiday. Appearing in court, he said he had not lost his sense of humour despite spending 88 days in solitary confinement, joking that although the ordeal had cost him three months of his life, quitting smoking during that time would add time back. The remark drew laughter and applause in the courtroom.

Outside the court, supporters including fellow comedian Firat Aksal expressed relief and surprise at the verdict, saying they had not been confident of a fair trial. Göktaş is expected to be released within hours and plans to rest and see his family before returning to performing.

The case comes amid what human rights groups describe as a broader crackdown on dissent in Turkey. Many others remain jailed, including journalists, human rights campaigners, student protesters, LGBTQ activists, and Istanbul's elected mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.