Comedian Tuba Ulu sentenced over Ottoman sultan 'f-buddy' joke
Standup comedian Tuba Ulu has received a suspended prison sentence of five months for "publicly degrading a segment of the public" due to a joke she made during a show about Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I, known as "the Magnificent."
During the performance in question, Ulu had remarked, "Even Kanuni [Sultan Suleiman] married his fuck buddy," referring to the sultan's relationship with Hürrem, an affair widely popularized through TV series and programs over the years.
Video clips of this segment began circulating on social media in April as part of a targeted campaign against Ulu, which was followed by a criminal investigation. Ulu was briefly detained and accused of insulting historical, national, and spiritual values.
The comedian was indicted in May for "inciting the public to hatred and hostility." In the previous hearing of the case, the prosecution had requested a prison sentence of up to three years for this offense.
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Ulu's defense
Ulu attended the final hearing held today at the İstanbul 13th Penal Court of First Instance alongside her lawyers.
In her defense, she denied that she intended to degrade a section of the public while also making an argument against the indictment which accused her of degrading women:
“I had no intention of committing a crime. I never intended to belittle or divide any segment of the public. On the contrary, I have always been a unifying figure.
"I do not accept the allegations in the prosecutor's opinion that I had actions aimed at insulting women. As a woman living in Turkey who believes she struggles in every field, it is not possible for me to commit this crime. I definitely did not commit such an act. I demand my acquittal.
"I have performed shows with positive discrimination toward women. I believe my statements were definitely not intended to insult a segment of society or a gender, and I believe my words are unifying, not divisive."
The court sentenced Tuba Ulu to five months in prison for "publicly degrading a segment of the public" and deferred the announcement of the verdict. (VK)
