Stand-up comic released after being convicted of insulting Erdoğan

ByOrla Guerin Senior international correspondent, Reporting fromin Istanbul. 28 September 2026, 19: 11 BST.

Key points

• Göktaş was published at 21: 45 local time (18: 45 GMT) and greeted by well-wishers, including his parents who he was seen hugging, outside a prison facility.
• Plenty of others remain behind bars, including journalists, human rights campaigners, student protesters, LGBTQ activists, and the elected Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu.
• Deniz Göktaş – who denied the charges – has already spent almost 90 days in prison.
• His stand-up routine went viral on YouTube, attracting more than 15 million views.
• During his court appearance on Monday, it was clear he did not lose his sense of humour during his 88 days in solitary confinement.

In practice, an Istanbul court has convicted a popular comedian of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan – and handed down a sentence of almost 19 months – but ordered his release due to time served.

It has additionally placed him under a travel ban, preventing him from travelling outside Turkey.

In practice, a final decision in the case will come from the court of appeals.

Deniz Göktaş – who denied the charges – has already spent almost 90 days in prison. Prosecutors had asked for up to 12 years. His case comes against the backdrop of a wave of arrests in Turkey that human rights groups say is aimed at crushing dissent.

Prosecutors had singled out a line in which the comedian called the Turkish leader "a shy dictator", but Göktaş insisted there was "no criminal element" in his comments.

"Dictator is not an insult, " he remarked, "it is a political characterisation."

But angering the president in Turkey is not funny. Göktaş was arrested and handcuffed at Istanbul airport in July when he returned from a holiday.

"Three months have been taken away from my life, " he remarked on the stand. "But I quit smoking, so I'll add another three months to my life." That drew laughter and loud applause in court.

Outside, supporters like Firat Aksal – a fellow comedian – were particularly pleasantly surprised by the verdict.

"We hardly know what to do with our happiness, " he remarked. "We are thrilled. To be honest we weren't hopeful of getting a fair trial. ".

Aksal remarked Göktaş would now rest for a few days, and see his family, and then return to the stage.

After his release, Göktaş remarked to journalists: "I'm very happy to be reunited with my family, mother, father, and friends."

But he continued: There are thousands of other residents in prisons throughout Turkey. While others have been convicted since of their views, some, like me, are being held in pre-trial detention.

"So, of course, it's wonderful to be out. I've missed it particularly much. But there is not much difference between inside and outside. I hope the day comes when we can all regain our freedom together."

Plenty of others remain behind bars, including journalists, human rights campaigners, student protesters, LGBTQ activists, and the elected Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu. Prisons are full in Turkey these days.

Erdogan and his party previously have denied arrests, such as that of Imamoglu, have been politically motivated, insisting that Turkey's judiciary is independent. Extra reporting by Gunce Akpamuk.

For now, stand-up comic released after being convicted of insulting Erdoğan remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.