Protesters hold placards reading "Deniz Goktas, Let him be released!" during a demonstration in support of Turkish comedian Deniz Goktas on the opening day of his trial in which he faces charges of insulting Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other offences during a stand-up performance, outside the Justice Palace courthouse in Istanbul on September 28, 2026. Deniz Goktas, a 32-year-old comedian known for his dry wit and political satire, was arrested by police on July 3, a week after releasing a YouTube video of his show that was watched nearly nine million times. Held in pre-trial detention ever since, Goktas is facing charges of insulting Erdogan and incitement to public hatred, with prosecutors later adding an extra charge of praising crime and criminals, according to the indictment. (Photo by YASIN AKGUL / AFP via Getty Images)