Famous singer Zuhal Olcay gets suspended sentence for insulting Erdoğan


The İstanbul Regional Court’s 2nd Penal Chamber on Thursday handed down a suspended 11 month, 20 day sentence to famous pop singer Zuhal Olcay for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The sentence was suspended on condition that she not commit the same crime for a year and a half.

Olcay was reported to the police on Aug. 5, 2016 after a concert in Kadıköy, İstanbul, for making an insulting hand gesture in reference to Erdoğan.

After examining footage from the concert, the Anadolu Republic Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office indicted Olcay, demanding a sentence of between one year, two months and four years, eight months.

The İstanbul 46th Court of First Instance sentenced Olcay to a year in prison in March but had reduced it to 10 months due to good behavior.

Since she had a previous sentence for insulting a state official, the court ruled to execute the punishment and sent her to prison.

Olcay later appealed to the İstanbul Regional Court, demanding her acquittal.
