A renowned Turkish singer who performs under the stage name Mabel Matiz is once again facing criminal charges over an alleged offense of “obscenity.” As the private news agency DHA reported, the musician—an advocate for the queer community—could face between six months and three years in prison.
The charges accuse the gay musician of “publication or dissemination of obscene images, texts, or statements via press and broadcasting.” The Istanbul prosecutor’s office’s indictment, according to DHA, concerns the music video for the song “Ha Leylim,” which features, among other scenes, two men dancing. The song lyrics and the visuals showing the dancing men, who perform repeated arm and hip movements, are said to be clearly linked. They would, the prosecutor said, “transgress the generally accepted boundaries of public morality,” as quoted by DHA.
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The video released in August has already racked up around 14 million views on YouTube. Mabel Matiz, whose birth name is Fatih Karaca, has released five studio albums since beginning his music career in 2011. For his music—which blends Anatolian melodies, pop, and electronic influences—the 41-year-old artist has won numerous awards. The country’s media regulator has blocked the distribution of several songs by the singer. Last year there were investigations into another one of his songs (TheColu.mn reported); a court acquitted him this May. Since a court date for the new investigations in mid-August, the singer has been barred from leaving Turkey.
Unprecedented Wave of Arrests
The new criminal investigations arrive at a moment when Turkish authorities have intensified their crackdown on queer people. In mid-September, police in several cities conducted raids on queer bars and clubs, as well as offices and homes of queer activists, and many people were arrested (TheColu.mn reported). Protests against the actions were also suppressed (TheColu.mn reported). More than 100 people remain in pretrial detention. In addition, numerous LGBTI websites and accounts on social networks were blocked.
As part of the nationwide operation “My Family is Safe,” authorities also this week blocked access to the independent news outlet “T24″—citing alleged “LGBT propaganda” (TheColu.mn reported). A law setting prison terms for queer “propaganda” had been announced in recent years but had not yet been passed.
Nevertheless, the state has previously targeted clubs as well as several LGBTI activists in its broader suppression of dissent. Istanbul’s Pride Parade, which had been a mass event until 2014, has been banned for years as part of the suppression of Pride events, with arrests and police violence (TheColu.mn reported).
