26.09.2025 14:02
In the program titled "Cold War," following a joke made based on a hadith of Prophet Muhammad, an indictment was prepared against the host Boğaç Soydemir and guest Enes Akgündüz, who were arrested as part of the investigation, seeking up to 4.5 years of imprisonment.
In the program titled "Cold War" broadcasted on YouTube, an indictment was prepared against Boğaç Soydemir and Enes Akgündüz, who drew reactions due to their remarks about Prophet Muhammad. The indictment stated that the crime of "Inciting or Insulting the Public to Hatred and Hostility" should be evaluated. It was noted that individuals who publicly incite a segment of the population with different social classes, races, religions, sects, or regional characteristics against another segment could be punished under this crime.
"CAPABLE OF INCITING HATRED" In the indictment, it was stated that when evaluating the incident, the content of the video in question was of a nature that could direct hatred and hostility, necessitating discrimination. After the content was published in media and press outlets, it was recorded that it was shared with comments by the incited groups on written and social media, thus creating an agenda in the media. Therefore, it was assessed that a clear and imminent danger to public safety had arisen. Additionally, it was noted that the suspects participated together and acted under a will of participation, that the content was not broadcast live, but rather circulated after undergoing certain arrangements, and that the dialogues in question were prepared before the broadcast. Considering these matters, it was concluded that it could not be said that the act developed instantaneously and that the suspects could not oversee the legal meaning and consequences of the actions they exhibited.
UP TO 4.5 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT REQUESTED In the indictment, a request for imprisonment of up to 4.5 years was prepared against Boğaç Soydemir and Enes Akgündüz for the crime of "Publicly Inciting or Insulting the Public to Hatred and Hostility."
"I GREW UP IN A CONSERVATIVE FAMILY" In the indictment, the statement of suspect Enes Akgündüz indicated that the main theme of the program was to laugh and make others laugh. Akgündüz, who claimed he did not know it was a hadith of Prophet Muhammad, said, "I was very excited and under stress because it was the first time I was involved in something like this when I participated in the program. Throughout the program, those around me encouraged me to stay calm. I grew up in a conservative family. I became a person with conservative thoughts like my family. Due to the excitement at that moment, I did not understand the question and what it meant. Because I did not understand, I could not give an answer. I absolutely did not understand the question. If I had understood, I would have reacted and definitely would not have allowed the broadcast of these images. I do not accept being guilty because I could not respond to the question directed at me by the other party." he said.
"I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS A HADITH" Suspect Boğaç Soydemir, whose statement was included in the indictment, said, "I did not know that the mentioned words were a hadith; I heard it from friends. I thought it was a normal saying. I have no intention of saying anything offensive about religion or our Prophet." he said.
WHAT HAPPENED? A joke made based on Prophet Muhammad's hadith "Alcohol is the mother of all evils" quickly spread on social media, and following the reactions, an investigation was initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against Boğaç Soydemir and guest Enes Akgündüz for the crime of "Inciting or Insulting the Public to Hatred and Hostility." Within the scope of the investigation, Boğaç Soydemir and guest Enes Akgündüz were detained and arrested.
HE APOLOGIZED AFTER THE REACTIONS After the reactions, Özdemir made a statement apologizing and used the following expressions: "Friends, I want to apologize to the people I hurt with a joke I made a few days ago. I had no such intention at all. Normally, I try to be sensitive in the jokes I make. However, at that moment, we had moved on to jokes from the audience, and I read that joke for the first time at that moment. I thought it was a simple word joke at that moment, but I should have thought about it later. I realized it when my friends warned me. You are right. I apologize for that. We removed the relevant part from the broadcast."