Deniz Göktaş explained his detention process to the New York Times

Comedian Deniz Göktaş’s “Ölü DenizThe words in his show titled and his subsequent nearly three-month detention in prison, followed by his release, became an international headline. Göktaş, who gave an interview to The New York Times, discussed the state of freedom of expression in Türkiye’de, the boundaries of political satire, and what he endured during the trial.

28 Eylül’de the hearing “Insulting the Presidentand“Denigrating religious values”A release order was issued for Göktaş, who was sentenced to a total of 19 months and 10 days in prison for the accusations. The comedian, who had been detained for about 88 days, said that his defense in court was intended not only to address his own case but also to bring a wider debate on freedom of expression to the table.

“I Wanted to Bring Freedom of Expression to the Forefront with My Defense”

Göktaş explained that he had received warnings that his defense in court could lead to a longer stay in prison. The comedian, who said that his lawyers and close associates had warned him about this, nevertheless stated that he did not want to back down.

Stating that the release decision was a great relief for him, Göktaş emphasized that the main purpose of his defense was not merely to regain his freedom. The comedian, who noted that people may hesitate to express their thoughts for fear of punishment or social backlash, said he wanted to set an example for other artists.

“I Decided to Stop the Auto-Spin”

Göktaş, who said that as he began to gain recognition in his profession he felt he would lose more things, said that this situation eventually steered him toward self‑sabotage.

The comedian, who noted that students and retirees who attend his shows act more boldly in their daily lives than he does, said that his growing timidity bothered him.

Göktaş, saying that he chose to retell the topics he found funny on stage instead of calculating the outcomes, also recounted that he slept his most comfortable sleep of his life on the first night in prison.

"Political Satire Tolerance Has Declined in Turkey"

Göktaş, recalling that in past years much harsher political satire was seen on mainstream Turkish television channels, argued that tolerance toward criticism has declined in recent years.

The comedian, who said that his jokes would be lighter when compared to some past examples of political satire, said he staged his show in various Turkish cities for three years and did not encounter any problems during that period.

Göktaş also pointed out that there was a difference between the reactions of those who experienced the show as a whole in the theater and those who encountered it through short videos on social media.

"Being in Prison Gave Me Confidence"

Göktaş, who said he did not regret his performance during his time in prison, said that this experience gave him a confidence he had not had before.

The comedian, who said he does not see himself as a very brave person in his normal life, stated that the doubt he felt about himself had decreased during the trial process. He expressed that the confidence he gained from this experience had turned into a feeling he no longer wants to give up.

"Humor Can Give People the Courage to Speak"

In his assessments of the effect of humor against authoritarian regimes, Göktaş also said that the power of comedy is limited.

A comedian who maintains that humor can give people empathy, motivation, and the courage to speak, but kept his distance from the idea that it directly brings political change. Using jokes and a sarcastic narrative style, he reminded audiences that disputed topics are actually discussable and commonplace issues.

Drew attention to the 'cancel culture' debate in the US

Göktaş, who also answered The New York Times' questions about the political pressures comedians face in the US and 'cancel culture', stated that he found it difficult to directly compare the two countries.

Göktaş, who said comedians in the United States appeared freer to him, responded to American comedians' complaints about social media reactions and cancel culture with these words:

I don't mean to praise, but we have cancel culture here too, and prison too.

Lenny Bruce was cited as an example in court.

Göktaş, in his defense at the court, also referenced Lenny Bruce, one of the important figures in American stand‑up history. He recalled that Bruce was tried in 1964 for a stage performance and was pardoned about 40 years after his death.

Göktaş, saying that Lenny Bruce was an important example for him, explained that he also follows comedians such as Doug Stanhope and George Carlin, as well as Sarah Silverman, Louis C.K., Mike Birbiglia, and Jerrod Carmichael.

Prepared 20 minutes of material for his new show.

Göktaş, who said he wrote about 20 minutes of material for his new show while in prison, said he plans to use that content on stage next year.

However, he noted that one of the first notes he wrote in the journal he kept in prison was that he would not discuss the case brought against him too much in his shows. Saying it is still too early to assess how his experiences have changed him, the comedian said he found a chance to reflect on the meaning of life while in prison.

Göktaş, noting that simple experiences such as sleeping and drinking tea can bring happiness to a person, emphasized that even in the most adverse conditions the sense of freedom can be preserved.