04.07.2026 14:30
Comedian Deniz Göktaş, arrested due to the 'Dead Sea' show, made a new statement regarding his conversation with Kılıçdaroğlu before his arrest. Speaking through his lawyer, Göktaş confirmed that he told Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, 'Millions of young people have one request; please let go of the CHP.' He stated that Kılıçdaroğlu only nodded in response to this request. Additionally, Göktaş expressed that he did not want to meet with Kılıçdaroğlu, but the encounter happened unexpectedly.
Comedian Deniz Göktaş was arrested on charges of 'insulting the president' and 'inciting the public to hatred and hostility' based on some jokes in his show 'Dead Sea', which was watched by over 10 million people on YouTube. After returning from abroad, Göktaş was arrested at the airport and was referred to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan yesterday morning.
Many people went to the courthouse to support Göktaş. Among those who came to the courthouse was Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was appointed as the CHP Chairman by a 'absolute nullity' decision. While Kılıçdaroğlu and his team were protested by those who came to the courthouse, a statement allegedly made by Deniz Göktaş to Kılıçdaroğlu became a topic of discussion.
"KILIÇDAROĞLU NODDED"
Göktaş, who made a statement to journalist Fatih Altaylı through his lawyer, said he did not want to meet with Kılıçdaroğlu, adding, 'We met unexpectedly before I went to the Criminal Court of Peace. He said 'Get well soon,' I thanked him. He asked if I needed anything, I said 'no.' Actually, I told him I didn't want to meet with him. 'Since you came, millions of young people have one request: please leave the CHP,' I said. After I said this, he nodded and then left.'
WHAT HAPPENED?
After the stand-up show 'Dead Sea' was published on YouTube, an investigation was launched against the comedian Deniz.
Göktaş returned from a holiday abroad on July 2 and was taken into custody at the airport. Göktaş, whose photo with handcuffs backwards became a topic of discussion, gave a statement at the Çağlayan Courthouse.
After the statement procedures were completed, Göktaş was referred to the criminal court of peace and was arrested on charges of 'inciting the public to hatred and hostility or degrading' and 'acting against the President.'
Many people went to the courthouse to support Göktaş, along with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was appointed as the CHP Chairman by a court decision, to show support.
Following Kılıçdaroğlu's visit, our newspaper columnist Barış Pehlivan reported that he spoke with Göktaş's lawyer Metin Aslan. Aslan stated that upon learning of the arrest decision, Göktaş said, 'They cannot steal our joy.'
Aslan also conveyed Kılıçdaroğlu's visit to Göktaş, saying, 'He told Kılıçdaroğlu, who met with him, 'Leave the CHP.''