13.03.2026 14:00
In the case where social media influencer Murat Övüç is being tried for the crime of "publicly inciting hatred and hostility," a decision was made to continue the defendant's detention, with a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years being sought.
Social media phenomenon Murat Övüç is being tried for the charge of "publicly inciting hatred and hostility." The court decided to continue the defendant's detention. The court postponed the hearing to a later date to address the missing issues in the case file.
DEFENSE VIA SEGBIS
In the hearing held at the 5th Criminal Court of First Instance in Küçükçekmece, the detained defendant Murat Övüç participated via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBIS) from prison. The defendant's lawyers were also present at the hearing. In his defense, Övüç stated that he filmed the video for humorous purposes and claimed that it was prepared to make his veiled female followers happy. Övüç argued that there was no malicious intent in his actions and apologized for being misunderstood. He mentioned that he filmed the video in February 2024 and shared it from his Instagram account, which he used at that time and was later closed. Övüç stated that his old account was closed due to stage costumes and said that he shares different content on his new social media account. The defendant requested his release and acquittal in his defense.
PROSECUTOR REQUESTED CONTINUATION OF DETENTION
In the hearing, the public prosecutor, whose opinion was sought, requested the continuation of the defendant's current situation. The court panel ruled in its interim decision that Övüç's detention should continue and postponed the hearing to address the deficiencies in the case file.
DETAILS IN THE INDICTMENT
In the indictment prepared by the Küçükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that during the virtual patrol activities of the Cyber Crime Department of the Istanbul Police Department, it was detected that a video of Murat Övüç wearing a headscarf was shared on a social media account.
The indictment expressed that in the footage, Övüç was wearing a headscarf made of black and red colors, drew attention to the ring on his right hand's ring finger while taking a selfie, and it was determined that a folk song was playing in the background.
The prosecution claimed that with this post, Övüç mocked the group that wears headscarves, publicly inciting one segment of society against another. In this context, a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years is being sought for Murat Övüç for the charge of "publicly inciting hatred and hostility."