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Turkish Pop Star Mabel Matiz Faces Jail Time Over Song Lyrics
A turkish court is considering a case that could see pop singer and songwriter Mabel Matiz sentenced to up to three years in prison on charges of obscenity stemming from the lyrics of his latest song, “Perperişan” (Devastated). The indictment, announced after a weeks-long investigation, raises concerns about artistic freedom and the boundaries of expression in Turkey.
The legal action centers on article 226 of the Turkish Penal Code, which criminalizes the distribution or publication of content deemed “obscene.” Prosecutors allege that Matiz, 40, violated this law with his song, a claim his legal team vehemently disputes. The offense carries a potential sentence ranging from six months to three years.
Matiz, whose legal name is Fatih Karaca, appeared at the Istanbul courthouse last week to provide a statement. He was later released under judicial supervision, but with a meaningful restriction: he is currently barred from leaving the country. This travel ban casts a shadow over several international concerts he had planned, potentially impacting his career and livelihood.
The case originated with requests from both the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the interior ministry. The Ministry of Family and Social Services sought restrictions on access to the song, asserting it conflicted with public morals. The interior ministry followed with a formal criminal complaint.A court responded by blocking access to “Perperişan” on popular streaming platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music, although the song has not been entirely removed from these services.
Matiz’s lawyer, Hüseyin Ersöz, has sharply criticized the indictment and the imposed travel ban, labeling them as unlawful. “You may not like a work of art, but if you turn it into the subject of a criminal probe, you infringe on freedom of expression,” Ersöz wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He further argued that the restrictions were disproportionate, highlighting the fact that the travel ban was implemented even before authorities questioned his client.
https://twitter.com/HuseyinErsöz
Matiz, who is openly gay and enjoys a substantial following within turkey’s pop music scene as the early 2010s, has denied the accusations. He maintains that his song is rooted in the rich tradition of Turkish folk literature, employing metaphorical language to convey a love story.
“I want to believe that public order and our collective well-being are not so fragile as to be disrupted by a mere song,” Matiz stated on his social media accounts.
A prominent figure in the Turkish music industry for over a decade, Matiz has achieved widespread recognition with albums such as “Maya” (2018) and “Fatih” (2023).He has also contributed his songwriting talents to other well-known Turkish artists and is a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ community.
This investigation into Matiz is not an isolated incident. It follows closely on the heels of similar obscenity probes targeting other artists, including the option music group Manifest, which recently faced charges related to alleged “indecent acts”
