Two big names of the Turkish screen, Halit Ergenç – known for his legendary role in "Suleiman the Magnificent" – and R?za Kocao?lu – one of the most beloved figures of the series "Çukur" – have been sentenced to prison by a Turkish court.

The news has shocked fans and the entertainment industry: both have been found guilty of giving false testimony in an investigation related to the famous Gezi Park protests that rocked Turkey in 2013.

What were the Gezi Park protests?

For those unfamiliar with the events: in 2013, a group of citizens protested the destruction of Gezi Park in central Istanbul to make way for a construction project. What began as an environmental protest quickly turned into a nationwide movement against the government and the restrictions on democratic freedoms. The protests spread to various cities and were accompanied by police violence and hundreds of arrests.

What do actors have to do with these protests?

Ay?e Bar?m

Among the investigations into the organizers of the protests in the following years was the famous manager of Turkish artists, Ay?e Bar?m. The prosecution accused her of helping to involve famous figures in the protests in order to increase public influence. During the trial, Halit Ergenç and R?za Kocao?lu were called as witnesses in her defense. They denied any connection to the organization of the protests or active involvement in them.

Why were they sentenced to prison?

According to the court, both actors had given false testimony, concealing the fact that they were physically present at some of the protests and had direct contact with individuals who were considered organizers. Turkish media reported that there were images and communications linking them to the protests. On this basis, the court found them guilty of giving false testimony – a serious charge that in Turkey is punishable by up to 4 years in prison.

In the last trial, they were sentenced to between 1 year and 8 months and 1 year and 10 months in prison each. However, the court decided to postpone the execution of the sentence for 5 years, which means that they do not go to prison immediately, but are on probation. If they do not commit any other offenses during these 5 years, the sentence can be canceled.

How has the public reacted?

The decision has been met with strong criticism from the public, especially on social media and in the artistic community. Many see this punishment as an attempt to intimidate public figures who may hold opinions different from the government, penalizing them for civic engagement.

Fellow actors, journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens have expressed support for Halit and R?za, emphasizing that expressing an opinion or participating in peaceful protests should not be grounds for imprisonment.

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