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ALBAWABA – Halit Ergenç Faces Legal Ramifications Over Gezi Park Testimony
In the realm of Turkish media, a significant situation has unfolded involving renowned actor Halit Ergenç, famously known for his role as Suleiman the Magnificent in the series "Magnificent Century." He has received a sentence of one year and ten months in prison due to a court ruling related to the Gezi Park demonstrations, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
Ergenç was implicated in providing misleading statements during the investigation. Initially, the Istanbul Court sentenced him to two years and three months. However, his penalty was reduced owing to his cooperative attitude and respectful demeanor throughout the proceedings. Actor Rıza Kocaoğlu also faced a prison sentence, but the enforcement of his term was delayed since neither actor has a prior criminal record, allowing them to remain out of prison for now.
The case revolves around the protests that erupted in Gezi Park, Istanbul, back in 2013, which started as a movement for environmental preservation but escalated into widespread anti-government activity.
As a witness in this case, Ergenç was interrogated by the prosecutor regarding his connections to activist and actor Mehmet Ali Alabora, a key figure involved in the events. He denied having a close relationship with her, but this assertion was contradicted by phone records and shared photographs.
Due to the nature of his alleged false statements, the prosecutor’s office sought a sentence ranging from two to four years. During the hearing, Ergenç maintained that he did not lie, claiming instead that he only addressed the questions posed to him. He explained that his familiarity with others implicated, including manager Ayşe Borim, was simply superficial.
Reflecting on the public reaction, Ergenç expressed regret for not filing a counterclaim, as he believes his involvement was misinterpreted when photographic evidence and phone data came to light.
This situation emphasizes that public figures are not above the law, and it captured the public’s attention, revealing a more complex reality behind Ergenç’s often-glamorized public persona.