21.07.2026 14:51
Theater actor Levent Üzümcü, who was detained for a social media post and then released under house arrest with a travel ban, made a statement about his experience. Stating that he does not accept the accusations, Üzümcü said he will continue to share posts, adding, "The demand for a bright future for our children and our country cannot be imprisoned."
Theater actor Levent Üzümcü, who was detained in Balıkesir last week and brought to Istanbul on the grounds of a social media post, was released by the judge with judicial control measures including a ban on leaving the country and house arrest, on charges of "publicly inciting hatred and hostility." Üzümcü made a statement on his social media account about the process he experienced. Üzümcü said, "The demand for a bright future for our children and our country cannot be imprisoned," and his statement is as follows:
"MY SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES WERE PRESENTED TO ME"
"Hello everyone, in the early hours of last Thursday, I was detained by the gendarmerie unit responsible for my area, on charges of 'publicly inciting hatred and hostility,' citing my comment on a news article I read in a newspaper's post about 'the comedian punished for a Kanuni Sultan Süleyman joke.' My mobile phone and ID were confiscated.
I gave the password to my mobile phone there and at that moment. After my detention procedures, I was taken to the Istanbul Police Department. Between my initial arrest and release, I underwent a total of four health checks. Throughout my detention process, I was not subjected to any ill treatment - including looks. During my prosecutor's statement at the 'Çağlayan Courthouse,' all my social media messages from July were presented to me in a folder, and it was stated that they contained the elements of the crime I was accused of.
"I REQUESTED THEY FIND ANOTHER EXCUSE"
Due to the education I received from my family; my profession and the principles of performing and staging my work, I stated that it was impossible for me to commit the crime of 'inciting hatred and hostility,' denied the accusation, and requested, if possible, that they find another excuse for their charges. Then, I was sent to the duty Criminal Court of Peace with a request for arrest. After a brief trial, I was sentenced to a ban on leaving the country and house arrest. Since I do not use a computer and my mobile phone was confiscated, I naturally could not communicate with anyone afterward.
Thank you very much to those who called and asked. I have no sorrow other than the tears and distress unintentionally caused to my family elders. All my posts are and will remain on my X account without exception; new ones will be shared, so it is impossible for me to remain silent or be silenced. The demand for a bright future for our children and our country cannot be imprisoned. With love"