Turkish Actor Sentenced to Prison for False Testimony Over 2013 Gezi Park Protests

cover Photo: Screenshot from Film

A court in Istanbul has sentenced prominent Turkish actor, Halit Ergenç, to one year and 10 months in prison for giving false testimony, Orda.kz reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The court found that the actor, known for his role in the series The Magnificent Century, was involved in the 2013 Gezi Park protests in Istanbul. The demonstrations began in opposition to the planned destruction of trees in the city’s central park and grew into mass anti-government protests.

The actor and a colleague were accused of falsely claiming they did not know Mehmet Ali Alabora, an activist identified by authorities as one of the protest's organizers. Prosecutors presented evidence showing extensive communication between the actors and Alabora during that time.

The verdict has not yet taken legal effect, and both defendants have the right to appeal.

The Magnificent Century is among Türkiye's most acclaimed television dramas, with a large international following, including in Kazakhstan.

Original Author: Aliya Askarova

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