Turkish reality TV star sought on obscenity charges over lyrics of newly released song

Ankara prosecutors have launched an obscenity investigation into Turabi Çamkıran, a former champion of the Turkish edition of the reality TV show “Survivor,” over the lyrics of his newly released song, leading to a court issuing a warrant for his arrest, Turkish media reported.

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced the probe on Wednesday, stating that Çamkıran’s song and its accompanying music video contained “statements that undermine public morality” and “demean women.” The release sparked backlash on social media, with critics saying the lyrics are excessively explicit and offensive.

Following a request from the prosecutor, Ankara’s 9th Criminal Court of Peace issued an arrest warrant for Çamkıran, while the 6th Criminal Court of Peace ordered the removal of the song from digital platforms. In response to the ban, Çamkıran reportedly altered some lyrics and re-released the track.

Charges of obscenity are relatively common in Turkey, where authorities frequently invoke Article 226 of the Turkish Penal Code to prosecute content deemed inappropriate. Writers, artists and social media users have faced legal action under these laws, which critics argue are used selectively to enforce conservative values and suppress dissent. Past cases have included the prosecution of publishing houses for distributing classic literature, the arrest of OnlyFans creators and government-imposed bans on streaming platforms and social media services.

Çamkıran rose to fame as a two-time “Survivor Türkiye” champion in 2014 and 2015. Known for his brash personality, he later participated in international reality shows, including MTV’s “The Challenge.”