Hande Yener’s Statement in ‘Insulting the President’ Case: ‘I Never Used Divisive Language’

Turkish pop star Hande Yener has given a statement to prosecutors in Muğla as part of an ongoing judicial investigation into her May 2025 concert performance. The investigation centers on allegations that she “targeted the constitutional order” and “insulted the President” during a show in Muğla on May 15, 2025. According to the complaint filed with the Presidential Communications Center (CİMER), audience members chanted a slogan referencing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Yener allegedly accompanied the chant with a rhythmic beat. The complainant further alleged that Yener stated on stage, “We will overthrow this era/regime very beautifully.”

In her statement to the prosecutor, Yener denied using divisive language and emphasized her long-standing support for the state. She said, “I have never used a divisive language at any time,” and referenced her participation in the July 15 defense efforts and her visit to Afrin, stating, “I participated in the July 15 night shifts, I went to Afrin, and I have always been alongside my state.” These remarks were reported by Turkish news outlets including Cumhuriyet and T24, which published details of her prosecutorial testimony.

Social media footage from the concert, including a 70-second clip shared on X/Twitter, shows Yener addressing the crowd with the words: “With our love, power, energy, and will, we will overthrow this era very beautifully. Our youth today; their enthusiasm, their love for the country, their honesty, sincerity, and reality—is it possible not to see or feel this? You have thrown us all into the air, young people; we bow before you, we thank you. May our existence be a gift to the Turkish existence. Yes, yes, it has happened already.” The Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed it had officially initiated the probe after receiving the file from Bodrum authorities, following an initial police report.

The case against Yener is part of a broader pattern of judicial scrutiny targeting entertainers in Turkey. Her situation echoes previous investigations into other artists accused of similar charges related to public statements or performances deemed critical of government figures or policies. Yener, known for her pop music career and occasional public commentary on social issues, has previously been discussed in cultural analyses as a figure associated with LGBTQ+ visibility in Turkish media, though her current legal predicament stems specifically from the alleged remarks made during her Muğla performance.

As of April 24, 2026, the investigation remains active, with no public indication of imminent charges or court proceedings beyond the prosecutorial statement. Yener has not issued any further public comments on the matter since her testimony, and her representatives have not responded to requests for clarification. The entertainment industry in Turkey continues to monitor the case closely, given its implications for artistic freedom and the boundaries of permissible expression in public performances.