01.09.2026 00:30
Comedian Imran Deniz Goktas, whom the court ordered to be released, was again unable to leave prison. Following the prosecutor's objection, a separate arrest warrant was issued for Goktas on charges of 'publicly inciting hatred and hostility' and 'insulting the President.'
A detention order was separately issued for comedian Imran Deniz Göktaş on charges of "publicly inciting hatred and hostility" and "insulting the President."
PROSECUTION OBJECTS TO GÖKTAŞ'S RELEASE
It was noted that the prosecution objected to the release decision for Göktaş, who had been released by the İstanbul 61st Criminal Court of First Instance. In line with the arrest warrant issued by the İstanbul 28th Heavy Penal Court on August 31, Göktaş was apprehended and connected to the hearing via SEGBIS from the penal institution where he was detained for another crime.
In his defense, Göktaş argued that the expressions he used in his posts and shows fell within the scope of political satire and that he had no intent to insult. Stating that he voluntarily returned to Turkey from abroad despite knowing about the investigation against him, Göktaş said there was no suspicion of flight.
The prosecution, on the other hand, requested that the release decision for Göktaş be overturned and that he be re-arrested on the charges against him.
Göktaş's lawyers also requested that the prosecution's objection be rejected, stating that their client voluntarily came to Turkey despite knowing about the investigation, and that there was no suspicion of flight or evidence tampering.
RE-ARRESTED
The court unanimously decided to separately arrest Göktaş on charges of "publicly inciting hatred and hostility" and "insulting the President," citing the presence of evidence showing concrete suspicion of the crime, the lower and upper limits of the sentences prescribed for the crimes, the current state of evidence, and the suspicion of flight. An appeal against the decision was left open to the İstanbul 29th Heavy Penal Court.