Turkish comedian gets jail term for calling Erdogan 'dictator' but released ahead of appeal

A Turkish court has sentenced a comedian to more than 19 months imprisonment on charges of insulting religious values and President Recep Tayyip ErdoganByThe Associated PressSeptember 28, 2026, 10:27 AMISTANBUL -- A Turkish court on Monday sentenced a comedian to more than 19 months imprisonment on charges of insulting religious values and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He was released pending appeal.Deniz Goktas, 32, had been held in prison since July 3 after clips of his routine, which included a reference to Erdogan as a “dictator,” were circulated online.He was convicted Monday of insulting the president and insulting religious values, receiving a combined prison sentence of 19 months and 10 days.Presenting a defense that caused laughter in the Istanbul courtroom, the comedian said he stood by his joke that described Erdogan as having evolved from a “shy dictator” to one “confident in his identity.”Goktas said political humor had been tolerated in the past and the laws regarding insult had not changed. “What has changed? Fragile leaders who can’t handle jokes or criticism,” he said in remarks published in Birgun newspaper and other opposition-backing outlets.He also highlighte...