A woman in headscarf, H.K., who was under investigation after dance footage taken at a nightclub in Izmir spread on social media, was arrested on charges of “inciting the public to hatred and hostility” and “indecency,” while zenne (drag performer) A.S. was released with a travel ban and a requirement to sign in regularly.
YouTuber Boğaç Soydemir and his guest Enes Akgündüz were arrested on September 22 after Soydemir made a joke—based on a common Turkish saying—that was revealed to be a hadith. Soydemir joked, “Fine, I love MILFs, bro,” in response to the phrase “Alcohol is the mother of all evils.” Both now face up to 4.5 years in prison on charges of “inciting hatred and hostility,” with prosecutors arguing that the pre-recorded and edited nature of the show proves joint responsibility.
Migrant worker Nicolai Palamarcıuc was beaten and tortured by this boss and his relatives, after his hands and feet were tied up.
Police officers, who arrived at the Cihan Deri workplace in the Aymakoop Industrial Site in Istanbul’s Başakşehir district following a tip-off, found the Moldovan worker lying motionless on the floor. R.K., a relative of the workplace owner, was standing over the migrant worker with a knife in his hand while three others at the scene had plastic handcuffs and tapes in their hands.
Four people were detained on charges of “intentional killing” in connection with the murder, but Nicolai Palamarcıuc, who was taken to the hospital, unfortunately, could not be saved.
Graduate student Abdullah Esin, jailed for criticizing a trustee appointment to the CHP headquarters, has had his unanimously approved thesis unlawfully rejected by Boğaziçi University’s government-appointed administration. Despite his lawyer submitting the thesis with full authorization, the institute imposed unusual same-day revision demands. If extension requests are denied, Esin’s enrollment will be terminated, violating his right to education.
Women took to the streets to demand justice for Rojin Kabaiş, who died under suspicious circumstances a year ago.
During the protest in Istanbul, women condemned the authorities’ failure to disclose the DNA of two men found on Rojin’s body and vowed to not allow the case to be covered up.
Twelve faculty members at the Department of Performing Arts at Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory have been dismissed. Two academics have decided to go on strike in protest against such injustice. As the conservatory enters its 90th academic year without performing arts instructors, classes have become nearly impossible to conduct. According to the dismissed instructors, the move stems from government-appointed State Theaters General Director Tamer Karadağlı’s view of them as “dissidents.”
Mabel Matiz, who was targeted over the lyrics of his song Perperişan (which was written and performed by himself and later subject to an order blocking access) was investigated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office following a complaint by the Ministry of Interior.
Brought to court under police escort, the singer testified that he had no specific intent in writing the song, denied the allegations, and expressed remorse.
As part of the investigation into a concert organized by the CHP-led Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, the court ordered the arrest of five individuals, including former municipal officials. Discussions began about the possibility of a similar process unfolding in Ankara, following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
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Bige Önal, who won the Best Actress Award at the Adana Altın Koza Film Festival, said in her acceptance speech:
“This system, which sanctifies women only when they give birth, forgets them while they live. I accept this award on behalf of all women who have lost their lives in this system and those who refuse to be condemned to silence. We are here, we will not be silenced, and we will be alright.”
Compiled by Bawer
Translated by Mercan Baş
Thanks to Alican E.
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