Popular Turkish stand-up comedian Deniz Göktas has been detained and is being questioned for allegedly insulting religious values and President Erdogan. The arrest occurred upon his return to Istanbul airport following a vacation, triggered by a comedy special released on YouTube on June 24th. The show, which garnered over 7 million views in a week, features jokes critical of Erdogan and the current state of Turkey, including referring to the president as a “dictator.” The Turkish government blocked clips of the show circulating on social media, citing national security concerns, and launched an investigation following complaints from over one hundred citizens. Supporters view the investigation as a disproportionate response, raising concerns about freedom of speech and censorship in Turkey. The arrest has sparked widespread reaction online, with a video of Göktas in handcuffs circulating widely.