06.07.2026 07:00
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel announced that imprisoned stand-up artist Deniz Göktaş, whom he visited in prison, said he never considered not returning from abroad. Özel conveyed that Göktaş said "I returned because I didn't go with the intention of escaping," while stating that the prison conditions were good, he stayed in a single-person cell, spent time with television and books, and his morale was high.
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, who visited detained stand-up artist Deniz Göktaş at Karatepe High Security Prison in Tekirdağ, made striking statements about the meeting. Özel conveyed that Göktaş said, "I never considered not returning from abroad. Since I didn't go with the intention of fleeing, I had to return, and I returned immediately," and added that he expressed satisfaction with the prison conditions.
"I HAD TO RETURN, AND I RETURNED IMMEDIATELY"
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, speaking to journalist İsmail Saymaz, stated that Deniz Göktaş said he had no thought of not returning from abroad.
Özel expressed that Göktaş told him, "What would I do, not return? Since I didn't go with the intention of fleeing, I had to return, and I returned immediately."
"THERE IS NOTHING I CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT"
Özel noted that Göktaş also provided information about the conditions in prison, conveying that he said, "They treat me very well, and my conditions are good. There is nothing I can complain about."
HE STAYS ALONE, WATCHES TV AND READS BOOKS
Özgür Özel, stating that Deniz Göktaş stays in a single-person cell in prison, said he was given a television within a short time.
Özel conveyed that Göktaş said, "I'm watching TV. That helped. At first, the sense of time was a bit different, but with TV and books, there's no problem."
"YOU GAVE ME STRENGTH, IT BOOSTED MY MORALE"
Speaking about the meeting that lasted approximately 45 minutes, Özgür Özel said Deniz Göktaş's morale was good.
Özel stated that upon seeing him, Göktaş said, "You gave me strength, it helped me, it boosted my morale," and added that during the meeting they chatted about mutual acquaintances and Doğu Demirtaş, who was arrested at Boğaziçi University. He also mentioned that after the visit, he spoke with Göktaş's parents.