Turkish comedian Deniz Goktas was convicted of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and ordered released pending appeal. He faces 19 months in prison but has served nearly three months in pretrial detention.
Goktas, 32, was arrested in July after a viral stand-up show that drew 9 million views. Prosecutors cited jokes about Erdogan as a 'dictator' and an organized crime family, the Daltons. The judge convicted him of insulting religious values but cleared him of praising criminals.
The conviction highlights Turkey's crackdown on dissent, with hundreds of critics detained. Goktas, who denied the charges, argued 'dictator' is a political term, not an insult. His release follows a 19-month sentence, with a travel ban imposed.
Goktas, who spent 88 days in solitary confinement, expressed relief at his release. He faces ongoing challenges as thousands remain in prison, including LGBTQ activists and political figures. Turkey's judiciary is under scrutiny for its role in the crackdown.