Kurdish artist Kasım Taşdoğan has been sentenced to 20 months in prison by a Turkish appeals court for allegedly promoting terrorism through his performances of three Kurdish songs during public celebrations.
The İzmir Regional Court of Justice overturned a previous acquittal, referencing the performance of the songs Serhildan Jiyan E, Ronahî-Berîvan, and Hatin during the 2023 Newroz celebrations in Kars (Armenian: Gars, Kurdish: Qers) and at a concert in Çanakkale.
“These songs have been sung by dozens of artists and have no bans. We even presented proof from the record label,” Taşdoğan told reporters. “This ruling reflects systematic suppression rather than justice.”
Despite the sentence, Taşdoğan remains defiant. “This decision won’t deter me. I’ll continue singing and creating,” he said, vowing to appeal.
The case has drawn criticism for targeting cultural expression, highlighting tensions surrounding Kurdish identity in Turkey.
Related articles:
Attempt to disrupt Kurdish music concert exposes intolerance in Turkey Kurdish concert cancelled due to police threat in Turkey’s southeastern city
