22.04.2026 16:29
Social media influencer Murat Övüç, who was tried for the crime of 'publicly inciting hatred and enmity', has been sentenced to 11 months in prison. Övüç had shared a video of a woman wearing a headscarf.
An investigation was launched by the Küçükçekmece Republic Prosecutor's Office regarding social media influencer Murat Övüç for sharing a video wearing a headscarf on social media. Övüç was arrested on December 20, 2025, on charges of "inciting hatred and enmity among the public."
HE APOLOGIZED
In his defense in court, Övüç claimed that he made the video to make his veiled female followers happy and for humor purposes, stating that he had no malicious intent in his action and apologized for being misunderstood.
HE SPENT 102 DAYS IN PRISON
Murat Övüç, who was detained for 102 days in the Karatepe Penal Institution in Tekirdağ, was released a few weeks ago. After leaving prison, Murat Övüç made his first post with his son Burak Can and his daughter-in-law, whom he had adorned with kilograms of gold at the wedding, expressing his feelings by saying, "A thousand thanks, I have reunited with my children."
"I WILL CONTINUE MY PATH AS 'BROTHER MURAT'"
In a video he published after his release, Övüç said, "It has been exactly 3 months and 10 days since I have been away from you. I have been rehabilitated," and then emphasized that he would change and be referred to as "Brother Murat." Stating that especially young people watch him, Övüç noted that he would be careful to set an example for them.
In his post, Övüç said, "I am receiving intense phone calls, messages. You are asking, 'Is there a change?', 'What is this?', 'We saw you as very serious.' Yes, from now on, I will be very serious."
The 58-year-old social media influencer continued his words by saying, "Because children are watching us, the young generation is watching us. In order to set a good example for them, to establish good dialogue with them, to be their 'Brother Murat,' to build good friendships and relationships with them, and to be a good and clean person in their eyes, I will continue my path as 'Brother Murat.'"
HE RECEIVED AN 11-MONTH PRISON SENTENCE
The verdict in Murat Övüç's case was announced today. The famous figure was sentenced to 11 months in prison for the crime of "publicly denigrating the religious values adopted by a segment of the public."
"MAY GOD NOT LET SUCH BAD THINGS HAPPEN AGAIN"
Murat Övüç made a statement from his social media account after the trial. The famous figure said, "The trial is over, they lifted my supervised release, they lifted my travel ban, they gave me an 11-month sentence. I received an 11-month sentence not for inciting hatred and enmity among the public but for mocking religious obligations. I already served 3 months and 11 days. The file will go to the appeals court, and it will be overturned there too. I have regained my freedom. May God not let such bad things happen to me again."