14.07.2026 14:40
The verdict has been reached in the case of comedian Tuba Ulu, who was prosecuted for a joke about Suleiman the Magnificent during a stand-up show. Ulu was sentenced to 5 months in prison for "publicly insulting a segment of the public," with the announcement of the verdict suspended.
The case in which comedian Tuba Ulu was tried on charges of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility" for a joke she made about Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent during a stand-up show was postponed to July 14 (today) after the prosecutor presented his opinion requesting a penalty. The verdict was announced at today's hearing.
"I HAVE ALWAYS PRACTICED POSITIVE DISCRIMINATION TOWARD WOMEN"
Making her defense against the opinion on the merits, Ulu rejected the allegations against her and stated: "I do not accept the allegations in the opinion that I engaged in actions degrading women. As a woman living in Turkey, I have fought for women's rights in every area. In my stand-up shows, I have always practiced positive discrimination toward women and have always sided with them. I request my acquittal."
"I NEVER HAD THE INTENT TO DIVIDE"
Continuing her defense by emphasizing that she had no intent to commit a crime, Ulu said, "I do not accept the allegations in the indictment and the opinion on the merits. I have no intent to commit a crime. I never had any intent to degrade or divide a segment of the public. On the contrary, I have always been a unifying force."
COURT GIVES 5 MONTHS PRISON
The court, which ruled on the case, sentenced Tuba Ulu to 6 months in prison on charges of "publicly degrading a segment of the public" (Turkish Penal Code Article 216/2). The sentence was reduced to 5 months considering the defendant's demeanor during the hearing. The court also decided to defer the announcement of the verdict (HAGB).