Brief Published (Dubai time, UTC+4) · event date: 2026-09-28
Deniz Göktas, a well-known Turkish comedian, will be tried starting Monday, September 28, for his latest show, in which he is accused of “insulting” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reports RFI.
Imprisoned since early July, his trial exemplifies the extent of violations against freedom of expression in Turkey, where self-censorship has become the norm for stand-up comedians despite a growing public interest in political humor.
In Ankara, shows continue to draw audiences, but within a climate of intense repression and censorship, notes correspondent Anne Andlauer.
