Turkish prosecutors have opened an investigation into pop singer Hande Yener over allegations that she joined the audience in chanting anti-government slogans at concerts last year, according to Turkish media reports on Saturday.
The probe was launched by the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office after a complaint filed through the Presidency’s Communication Center (CİMER).
Yener was summoned to give a statement over accusations tied to two performances in May 2025.
Prosecutors allege that during a May 15, 2025 concert in Muğla, Yener joined audience members from the stage as they chanted, ‘Jump, jump, those who don’t jump support Tayyip,’ and that at a May 18 concert in İstanbul she said, ‘We will bring an end to this era.’”
Turkish media said the complaint moved through prosecutor’s offices in Bodrum, İstanbul and Muğla before Yener was summoned to testify.
Media reports did not make clear what specific offense prosecutors were examining.
Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code criminalizes insulting the president. The provision has continued to be used despite a 2021 European Court of Human Rights ruling that found it violated freedom of expression.
Turkey has for years faced criticism from rights groups and legal experts over the use of insult laws against journalists, artists, students and political critics.