Turkish authorities have escalated their crackdown on opposition figures by targeting celebrities who publicly supported the recent boycott movement. This action, initiated by the Chief Prosecutor’s Office, has resulted in the detention of several well-known public figures, including prominent actors.
Among those detained was Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu, a lead actor in the popular TV series Şakir Paşa Ailesi (The Şakir Paşa Family). Üzümoğlu was released under judicial control after his detention. Following his release, Üzümoğlu made a statement, emphasising the importance of collective action, saying: “There is nothing more we can do than to remind everyone of their constitutional rights. We will continue to fight. There is no salvation alone, either all of us together or none of us.”
Additionally, Aybüke Pusat, a leading actress in TRT’s Teşkilat (The Organisation), was dismissed from the series and removed from TRT’s streaming platform. TRT cited her support for the opposition’s boycott as conflicting with the broadcaster’s principles. The official statement read: “It is never acceptable for people involved in the projects of TRT, which represents our nation, to be a part of a political campaign”.
These actions have drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including the Actors’ Union of Turkey, which condemned the arrests and urged an end to the pressure on individuals expressing their opinions. The union stated: “Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu is not alone”.
The crackdown extends beyond arrests, with several actors losing roles in popular TV series and facing professional setbacks. This includes the removal of the series Rumi from TRT’s digital platform following comments by screenwriter Ali Aydın, highlighting the broader impact on the entertainment industry.
Turkey’s television industry is among the most-watched globally, with its series gaining significant international acclaim. This widespread popularity has made the actions against these celebrities even more prominent, as the crackdown has drawn attention from both domestic and international audiences.
