Critics view the recent arrest of a prominent celebrity manager in Turkey as a politically motivated move to expand President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s control over Turkey’s arts and culture sector.
An Istanbul court on Monday ordered the arrest of Ayşe Barım, a well-known figure in Turkey’s entertainment industry and the founder of ID Communications, who was detained Friday on allegations of “attempting to overthrow the Turkish government” by organizing actors’ participation in the 2013 Gezi Park demonstrations. The protests, which erupted against an urban development plan but quickly grew into a nationwide anti-government movement, posed one of the biggest challenges to Erdoğan’s rule when he was prime minister.
The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office claimed that Barım had “intensive communications” with key defendants in the Gezi trials, including philanthropist Osman Kavala, film producer Çiğdem Mater Utku and exiled actor Memet Ali Alabora. Kavala, imprisoned since 2017, was convicted of allegedly financing the protests and attempting to overthrow the government, while Alabora fled Turkey amid accusations of inciting unrest.
Authorities did not specify the content of Barım’s alleged communications with these figures but suggested she had encouraged actors under her management to take part in the protests and had discussed issuing a declaration regarding the demonstrations. She denies the charges.
Initially, Barım was targeted by certain individuals and pro-government groups for allegedly creating a “monopoly” in the public relations sector, which was said to be against the interests of some actors and a violation of competition rules. On January 10 she was placed under investigation for alleged “blackmail” and “violating the freedom to work and labor,” with prosecutors questioning high-profile figures such as actress Serenay Sarıkaya and theater actor Nedim Saban. A travel ban was imposed on her on January 13.
However, the focus of the case abruptly shifted from allegations of a monopoly to national security charges linked to the Gezi Park protests, echoing past high-profile cases against dissidents.
Her arrest comes amid a broader crackdown on opposition voices in Turkey, coinciding with the recent arrest of Victory Party leader Ümit Özdağ for “inciting public hatred.” It also follows increased government scrutiny of political rivals, including İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, and renewed discussions over a potential constitutional amendment that would allow Erdoğan to run for re-election to a third term in office.
Critics argue that Barım’s case is another example of Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) tightening its grip on Turkey’s cultural landscape as part of a long-standing effort to reshape arts, media and entertainment in alignment with government ideology.
Turkey’s Erdogan also had the same point of view that his elite and party had lacked “cultural hegemony”.
The Turkish opposition is still the cultural hegemon after Erdogan’s 20 years in power. https://t.co/HtgvI7hkcQ
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) December 16, 2024
Erdoğan’s cultural ambitions
Erdoğan has repeatedly expressed frustration that despite the AKP’s 22 years in power, his government has not achieved dominance in Turkey’s cultural domain.
“You all know that political power is one thing, but social and cultural dominance is another,” Erdoğan said in 2017. “We have been in uninterrupted political power for 14 years. However, we still face challenges in achieving social and cultural dominance.”
Exposing the strategy of the ruling elite to obtain cultural hegemony, this book examines AKP’s efforts to rewrite Turkish public memory by promoting its ideas through TV series, movies, propaganda videos, school curricula and material culture.https://t.co/VqBQFTvKvZ pic.twitter.com/Y3GTFXIKSb
— Ottoman and Turkish Studies at NYU (@otsnyu) May 24, 2021
His administration has sought to influence Turkey’s entertainment and media industries by promoting conservative narratives, limiting critical voices and pressuring production companies to align with government interests.
The government’s push for cultural influence has been evident in its policies toward the entertainment sector, from stricter regulations on TV and film content to pressure on actors and production companies to avoid themes critical of the ruling party.
Speaking to the Evrensel news website, political analyst Göksel Aymaz described Barım’s arrest as part of a broader strategy. “The government is using the judiciary to intervene in the entertainment sector, suppress dissent and reshape cultural production,” he said.
Industry backlash and legal concerns
Barım’s arrest has sparked a backlash from the entertainment industry, with prominent actors voicing their support for her and denouncing what they call an attack on artistic freedom.
Actress Birce Akalay wrote on social media, “Tyranny never prevails,” while Pınar Deniz posted, “I can’t believe it.” Other actresses, including Hande Erçel, Merve Dizdar and Ceyda Düvenci, also expressed their solidarity.
Experts have criticized the case’s legal basis, particularly the inclusion of an “influence agency” charge, which does not exist in Turkey’s penal code.
The government previously attempted to introduce an “influence agency” law, which would have criminalized individuals accused of acting in line with “foreign interests.” The proposed law, modeled after Russia’s “foreign agents” legislation, was withdrawn twice after facing strong opposition from rights groups.
Gezi Park cases resurface
The Turkish government has repeatedly revisited the Gezi Park protests in legal proceedings, targeting opposition figures, activists and businesspeople.
In 2022 Kavala was sentenced to life in prison despite decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled that his detention was politically motivated. Other defendants in the Gezi trials received long prison sentences on charges of attempting to overthrow the government.
Barım’s case marks the latest revival of the Gezi investigations, raising concerns that the government is seeking to use past protests to exert further pressure on political and cultural figures.
“The government’s message is clear: Anyone who was associated with Gezi in any way can still be prosecuted,” said opposition lawmaker Sezgin Tanrıkulu. “There is no legal certainty in Turkey anymore.”
The entertainment industry, one of Turkey’s most lucrative sectors with global influence, has long been a target for government intervention.
The AKP has sought to increase its control over film and television by promoting conservative storytelling, restricting depictions of secular lifestyles and limiting foreign influence in Turkish productions.
Barım’s arrest is being interpreted as a warning to industry professionals who do not align with the government’s agenda.