Published: Less than 20 min ago
Turkish pop star Gülsen has been arrested, accused of “inciting hatred and enmity” through a joke about the country’s religious schools.
According to government critics, the arrest is an attempt by President Erdogan to strengthen his support among the country’s conservatives.
The 46-year-old singer-songwriter was taken from his home in Istanbul for questioning and formally arrested late Thursday.
The accusations are based on a joke Gülsen made during a concert in Istanbul in April, when she said one of her musicians’ “perversion” was due to the person attending a religious school.
A video clip of the prank recently began circulating on social media, with a hashtag calling for her arrest. Gülsen has apologized for the comment, but says it is raised by those who want to deepen polarization in the country.
Outrage on social media
The arrest has created outrage on social media. Government critics say it is an attempt by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to bolster his support among religious and conservatives ahead of elections in 10 months.
The artist denies accusations that she incited hatred and enmity, saying she has “endless respect for the values” of Turkey, state news agency Anadolu reports.
Gülsen’s request to be released from custody pending the outcome of a trial has been denied.
Opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu is calling on the authorities to release the singer. “Do not betray the law and justice; release the artist now!”, he writes on Twitter.
“Incitement not an art form”
Omer Celik, who is a spokesman for Erdogan’s AKP party, appears to defend the arrest. He says that “incitement to hatred is not an art form”.
“Targeting a section of society with accusations of ‘perversion’ to try to polarize Turkey is a hate crime and a shame to humanity,” he tweeted.
Erdogan and many of the members of his ruling party have attended religious schools, originally set up to train imams. The number of religious schools in Turkey has increased during Erdogan’s time. He has promised to raise a “pious generation”.