Comedian Tuba Ulu, against whom an investigation was launched on charges of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility" because of a "the Magnificent joke" she made during a stand-up performance, appeared before the judge on last Monday at Istanbul's 13th Criminal Court of First Instance. The prosecution is seeking prison sentence up to three years for Ulu.
The hearing was held at Istanbul's 13th Criminal Court of First Instance. In her defense, comedian Tuba Ulu said: "I repeat the statements I made at the previous hearing. In addition to those statements, as a comedian I have performed all over Turkey and connected with people. In the joke and satire I made, I had no intention of insulting anyone or offending anyone's values. I request my acquittal."
According to the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), Ulu's lawyers, arguing that freedom of expression may be disturbing, emphasized that Ulu's remarks did not constitute criminal intent, and requested her acquittal.
The prosecutor argued that, under Turkish law and the European Convention on Human Rights, freedom of expression has limits; that Ulu's use of the phrases "fuck buddy" and "the woman pushed for marriage" in her performance constituted a sexually degrading characterization of woman through her body, regardless of her character, and that these remarks were of a nature to disturb public order. The prosecutor therefore requested that the defendant be punished.
Ulu and her lawyers requested additional time to respond to the prosecutor's opinion. The judge granted time for the defense and adjourned the hearing until July 14 at 11:00 a.m.
