29.06.2026 11:10
The stand-up show titled "Dead Sea" published on YouTube by comedian Deniz Göktaş sparked controversy, particularly due to allegations that he made jokes targeting religious values. While claims emerged that Göktaş, who faced criticism because of the show, had "fled abroad," the famous comedian denied the allegations in a statement, saying he was on vacation.
Comedian Deniz Göktaş, whose stand-up show "Dead Sea" published on YouTube garnered over 5 million views in a short time, faced intense backlash from certain circles due to his political humor.
DESTİCİ ALSO REACTED HARSHLY
Mustafa Destici, Chairman of the Great Unity Party, was one of the figures who reacted strongly to Göktaş's show. In a speech at the opening program of the Alperen Ocakları Education and Culture Foundation's service building in Sivas, Destici said, "A new trend called stand-up has started in Turkey. You can make political criticism and humor. You can criticize and joke about us too. You can also do it about businessmen and athletes. You can also do it about daily social events. You can also do it about the government's and ruling party's actions and the parliament. But you cannot make jokes about my faith, my God, my holy book, or my prophet. You cannot turn that into entertainment."
ALLEGEDLY FLED ABROAD
After the rising backlash, a claim that would stir the agenda was made about Deniz Göktaş. While it was alleged that Göktaş had fled abroad, the famous comedian's response to the allegations was not delayed.
DENİZ GÖKTAŞ'S SWIFT RESPONSE TO "FLED" CLAIMS
In his post, Göktaş said, "Hello, just as I dreamed all year, as soon as my tour and fiction ended, I came on vacation with 3 t-shirts and 3 boxers to be with my friends. I don't know if traveling is a shameful thing, but those who share it like an intelligence report will also see that I paid a hefty military service fee on June 22. I will be in the country for many years :) If a situation arises that requires me to be in Turkey, I will return on the first flight, the t-shirt count is challenging."
WHAT HAPPENED?
Comedian Deniz Göktaş became a target especially by circles close to the government after his stand-up show titled "Dead Sea." Meanwhile, BBP's lawyer Samet Bağcı claimed that Göktaş insulted religious values in his show published on YouTube and announced that they would initiate legal proceedings.