Singer Azis's concert in Bursa canceled after LGBTI+phobic reports

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Azis, a pop singer from Bulgaria, was prevented from giving a concert at the Balkan Festival in Bursa, northwestern Turkey.

Ahead of the planned concert, Azis was targeted by the pro-government daily Yeni Akit. "What is the AK Party's Kestel Municipality trying to do? Homosexual pervert Azis will take the stage in the festival they will organize for the people of the district," the newspaper wrote.

After the concert was canceled, Yeni Akit reported that the municipality "corrected its wrong decision."

Speaking to Akit, Kestel Mayor Önder Tanır of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) said they hadn't seen the photos and the videos of Azis and "canceled the concert after realizing the mistake."

Azis is a gay TV presenter, politician, writer and singer from Bulgaria. He staged many concerts in Turkey before and represented Bulgaria in the Eurovision contest in 2006. (EMK/VK)