Bülent Ersoy

Twenty-one members of the orchestra accompanying Ersoy to Northern Cyprus were implicated in a false PCR test case. Musicians were detained and convicted. They subsequently accused Ersoy and her management of failing to assist them sufficiently; drummer Ahmet İzgi brought a damages action against Ersoy and her manager in 2023.

State of the evidence

Documented

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

The programme Benzemez Kimse Bize, presented by Bülent Ersoy and Mustafa Keser, ended after just two episodes amid conflict between the two performers. Each subsequently sued the other over insulting remarks. In January 2023, the court upheld both claims and ordered each to pay the other 1 TL in damages.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following remarks targeting singer Lerzan Mutlu, Ersoy was prosecuted for making threats. In April 2018, the court found the offence established and imposed a judicial fine of 900 TL.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Personally implicated

Ersoy claimed that a political leader, subsequently identified as Deniz Baykal, had demanded a substantial sum of money from her in the 1980s to facilitate the lifting of her performance ban. Baykal denied the allegation and brought a civil action. Damages of 15,000 YTL were awarded, and the decision was upheld by the Court of Cassation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

After stating on television that she would not send her own son to war and preferred a solution that prevented young people from dying, Ersoy was prosecuted for allegedly discouraging military service. The court acquitted her in December 2008.

Legal status — source text

Acquitted / conviction overturned

Attribution

Personally implicated

Course of the proceedings

1. Formally charged — Formal charge before the current outcome

Following gender reassignment surgery in 1981, Ersoy began a lengthy battle for legal recognition of her gender. Under the military regime, she was banned from performing, alongside other artists regarded as transgender or transvestites. A 1988 reform eventually enabled legal recognition of gender reassignment and her lawful return to the stage.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

In 1981, authorities investigated Ersoy over alleged use of a forged authorisation or document relating to her passport and departure from Turkey without foreign currency. Contemporary press reports subsequently described her appearance in proceedings for breaching regulations protecting the value of the Turkish currency.

Attribution

Directly implicated

In November 1980, Bülent Ersoy was sentenced to 11 months and 20 days' imprisonment and a fine for insulting a serving judge. The prison sentence was suspended and she was released. She was also acquitted of other charges arising from the same incident.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Directly implicated