Close Menu
News JournosNews Journos
  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Turkey Reports
  • Money Watch
  • Health
Editors Picks

Supreme Court Approves DOGE Access to Social Security Data

June 7, 2025

Trump Reconsiders Canadian Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Following Ontario’s Electricity Surcharge Suspension

March 11, 2025

Judge Approves ICE Enforcement in Churches, Granting Legal Victory to Trump Administration

April 11, 2025

Trump Leaves Door Open for Third Presidential Bid

March 30, 2025

Trump Endorses Arrest of California Governor Newsom

June 9, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Latest Headlines:
  • Tropical Storms Barry and Flossie Develop Near Mexico’s Coasts
  • Sen. Thom Tillis Declines Reelection Amid Trump-Driven Primary Threat
  • US Diplomat: Iran-Israel Conflict Could Open New Opportunities in the Middle East
  • Sabrina Carpenter Unveils New Album Cover Art Following Criticism
  • Trump Threatens NYC Funding Over Mamdani Election Bid
  • Health Expert Discusses COVID-19 Response Strategies on National Broadcast
  • Iran’s UN Ambassador Speaks on International Relations in Recent Interview
  • Uber CEO Discusses Company Vision and Future Directions
  • UN Senior Staff Perks Under Review Amid Budget Cuts
  • Tesla’s Stock Surges 300-Fold Since IPO 15 Years Ago
  • Reality TV Star Charged with Murder After Partner Found Beheaded in Australia
  • Facebook Account Hacked in Friend Impersonation Scam
  • Trump Advocates Gaza Ceasefire Amid Israeli Military Evacuations
  • Pedro Pascal Criticized by Martina Navratilova
  • Buckley’s Impact: The Life and Legacy That Transformed America
  • China’s Crypto Demand Surge Boosts Select Stocks
  • Earthquake Expert Raises Concerns About Radioactivity in Province After 80 Cancer Deaths
  • Police Detain 41 at LGBTI+ Event in İstanbul, Including Gay Politician
  • Can Eutelsat Serve as Europe’s Rival to Starlink?
  • Trump Threatens to Withhold Federal Payments
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
News JournosNews Journos
Subscribe
Sunday, June 29
  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Turkey Reports
  • Money Watch
  • Health
News JournosNews Journos
You are here: News Journos » Turkey Reports » Turkish Pianist Jailed for Dissent as Erdoğan’s Clampdown Engulfs the Arts
Turkish Pianist Jailed for Dissent as Erdoğan's Clampdown Engulfs the Arts

Turkish Pianist Jailed for Dissent as Erdoğan’s Clampdown Engulfs the Arts

Serdar ImrenBy Serdar ImrenFebruary 21, 2017 Turkey Reports 3 Mins Read

In Recep Tayyip Erdoğan‘s Turkey, even the notes of a piano can be deemed an act of rebellion. The arrest of Dengin Ceyhan, a talented young pianist and university conservatory teacher, for allegedly “insulting the president” on social media is the latest, poignant proof that the regime’s war on free thought knows no bounds. When artists are silenced, it is not just an individual who is arrested; it is the soul and conscience of a nation that is being imprisoned.

Ceyhan’s “crime” was not one of violence or conspiracy. His true offense was his history of dissent. He was a visible figure during the 2013 Gezi Park protests, his piano providing a soundtrack to the most significant civic uprising in modern Turkish history. He stood in solidarity with the “Academics for Peace,” who were relentlessly persecuted for signing a petition that called for an end to state violence.

For the Turkish state, this history makes him a target. The specific social media posts that triggered his arrest remain undisclosed—a common tactic that shrouds the state’s actions in ambiguity and amplifies the chilling effect. The message is not about what you say, but who you are. If you have a history of opposing the government, any pretext is sufficient for your persecution.

Ceyhan’s case is a single frame in a terrifyingly vast picture. By the end of 2016, a staggering 10,000 people were already under investigation for social media posts. In the last six months of that year alone, the Interior Ministry confirmed that 3,710 people were investigated, leading to 1,656 arrests. These are not the statistics of a democracy; they are the metrics of a police state engaged in mass digital surveillance and political purification.

The weapon of choice is Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code, the “insulting the president” law. This archaic statute has been transformed into a dragnet to ensnare anyone—students, journalists, housewives, and now, a concert pianist. It is a legal cudgel used to crush criticism, satire, and even the mildest expression of opposition.

The arrest of an artist like Dengin Ceyhan is a particularly insidious form of repression. It is a direct assault on the cultural heart of the nation. It seeks to intimidate the creative community, forcing them into a choice between self-censorship and prison. By targeting a musician whose instrument is a symbol of harmony and universal expression, the Erdoğan regime reveals its own deep dissonance with the core values of a free and open society. They are not just arresting a man; they are attempting to silence the music of dissent itself.

Article 299 Artist Persecution Authoritarianism Dengin Ceyhan Freedom of Speech Gezi Park Human Rights Recep Tayyip Erdogan Turkey
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link Bluesky
Serdar Imren
  • Website

Serdar Imren is a distinguished journalist with an extensive background as a News Director for major Turkish media outlets. His work has consistently focused on upholding the core principles of journalistic integrity: accuracy, impartiality, and a commitment to the truth. In response to the growing restrictions on press freedom in Turkey, he established News Journos to create a platform for independent and critical journalism. His reporting and analysis cover Turkish politics, human rights, and the challenges facing a free press in an increasingly authoritarian environment.

Keep Reading

Turkey Reports

Earthquake Expert Raises Concerns About Radioactivity in Province After 80 Cancer Deaths

6 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

Police Detain 41 at LGBTI+ Event in İstanbul, Including Gay Politician

5 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

Controversial Ads Promoting Debt Relief and Kidney Sales Spark Outrage

7 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

New Evidence Emerges in Narin Murder Case in India

6 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

Kurdish Poet İlhan Sami Çomak Awarded Jack Hirschman International Poetry Prize

6 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

Defendant Evacuated as Indictment Shifts in Tuğba Yavaş’s Ongoing Legal Battle

5 Mins Read
Mr Serdar Avatar

Serdar Imren

News Director

Facebook Twitter Instagram
Journalism Under Siege
Editors Picks

Federal Judge Rules Trump Administration Must Rehire Dismissed Probationary Government Workers

March 13, 2025

Trump Considers Sanctions and Tariffs on Russia Until Ukraine Ceasefire is Achieved

March 7, 2025

Supreme Court Permits Temporary Halt on Education Grants by Trump Administration

April 4, 2025

NATO Faces Cyberattack Risks Without Enhanced U.S. Leadership, Report Finds

May 2, 2025

Trump Envoy Discusses Stalled Peace Talks with Putin in Russia

April 11, 2025

Subscribe to News

Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest Vimeo WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

News

  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Money Watch

Journos

  • Top Stories
  • Turkey Reports
  • Health
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • Entertainment

COMPANY

  • About Us
  • Get In Touch
  • Our Authors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Accessibility

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

© 2025 The News Journos. Designed by The News Journos.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Ad Blocker Enabled!
Ad Blocker Enabled!
Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.