Turkey Charges Comedian Tuba Ulu Over Sultan Joke, Seeking Up to 3 Years
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 16
Turkey Charges Comedian Tuba Ulu Over Sultan Joke, Seeking Up to 3 Years
1 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 16
Summary
Prosecutors in May charged comedian Tuba Ulu with inciting public hostility over a stand-up joke about Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and are seeking a prison term of up to three years.
The case stems from an Istanbul performance earlier this year in which Ulu joked that modern couples marrying after casual sex was good enough for Suleiman, who married his concubine.
Police detained Ulu after the show and held her for several days; preliminary hearings are now underway, and she declined to comment.
The prosecution adds entertainers and influencers to President Tayyip Erdogan's widening crackdown on dissent in Turkey.
When a comedian's joke can lead to prison, where does Turkey's government draw the line between humor and crime?
If satire is silenced, what other forms of dissent will be the next target in Turkey's crackdown?
Turkey’s Crackdown on Satire: The Tuba Ulu Indictment, Insult Laws, and the Chilling Effect on Free Speech
Overview
Comedian Tuba Ulu was indicted after making a controversial joke about Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and Hürrem Sultan, two highly respected figures in Turkish history. The joke was considered offensive, leading to the swift blocking of her social media accounts. This incident highlights how Turkey’s legal system is often used to prosecute speech seen as insulting to historical or religious values, drawing criticism for restricting freedom of expression. The strong reaction to Ulu’s joke shows the deep cultural sensitivity around national heritage and the challenges faced by artists and comedians in Turkey.