Tarkan

Upon its release in February 2022, Geççek was widely interpreted in Turkey as a message predicting the end of AKP rule. Opposition officials promoted it as a political anthem, while pro-government voices accused Tarkan of serving the opposition. The song thus became a focus of political polarisation extending beyond its explicit lyrics.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

During the 2019 mobilisation against mining operations and tree felling in the Kaz Dağları region, Tarkan published a strongly critical message denouncing the destruction of nature, rent-seeking and the attitude of officials. His intervention amplified a national controversy between environmental campaigners, authorities and project developers.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Personally implicated

Tarkan Tevetoğlu was arrested in 2010 during an anti-drug operation and subsequently prosecuted for purchasing, accepting or possessing drugs for personal use. On 26 December 2013, the court ordered treatment and one year's probation, with periodic monitoring; proceedings would resume if the measure was breached.

State of the evidence

Documented

Course of the proceedings

1. Formally charged — Formal charge before the current outcome

In 2001, Tarkan asked Turkish courts to seize and prohibit distribution of the book Tarkan – yıldız olgusu, arguing that it infringed his image and personality rights. The seizure lasted almost two years and eight months. On 8 June 2010, in Sapan v. Turkey, the European Court of Human Rights held that the restriction had not been sufficiently justified and had violated Article 10 of the Convention.

State of the evidence

Documented

Tarkan's Hüp music video prompted a strong reaction from viewers in 2001 because of imagery considered suggestive. A retrospective in the Turkish press indicated that it was among the programmes attracting record numbers of complaints to RTÜK that year.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

In 1999, while Tarkan lived abroad and had not complied with his military service obligations, the press reported an administrative procedure that could lead to revocation of his Turkish citizenship. Following a reform allowing shortened military service in exchange for payment, he returned to Turkey, completed 28 days' service in Malatya and was discharged in February 2000.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated