In a recent development, Deniz Göktaş, one of Turkey's most popular comedians, has been arrested in Istanbul following a performance that garnered over 9.4 million views on YouTube. The authorities accused him of inciting hatred and hostility, as well as insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and making offensive remarks about Islam. This arrest is part of an ongoing crackdown on dissent in Turkey, which has also targeted journalists, campaigners, and other public figures. In the past few weeks, access to social media accounts of LGBT+ organizations and activists has been blocked, while more than 200 people have been detained ahead of next week's NATO leaders' summit in Ankara. As tens of thousands of security personnel are being deployed for the event, concerns about freedom of speech and expression continue to grow, with numerous journalists, lawyers, academics, trade unionists, environmental activists, and LGBT campaigners being detained in recent months. The authorities have imposed a ban on demonstrations in Ankara until 10 July and independent Turkish media outlets have complained of being denied accreditation to the summit. Göktaş's detention has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, who see it as part of a broader pattern targeting public figures in Turkey. Critics argue that the comedian is facing prison "for telling jokes" and that satire is protected under Turkey's constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.