Turkey court jails talent manager for 12 years
An Istanbul criminal court has sentenced a prominent Turkish talent manager to 12.5 years in prison for an alleged role in what prosecutors described as a bid to overthrow the government during the nationwide protests that swept the country in 2013.
The court ruled on Wednesday that Turkey court jails talent manager for 12 years over ‘bid to overthrow govt’, sentencing Ayşe Barım, 55, a well-known TV talent agent, after a lengthy trial connected to demonstrations that erupted more than a decade ago. The decision was reported by state-run Anadolu news agency and published in multiple outlets.
Barım has repeatedly denied the charges, describing them as politically motivated, and she rejected the allegation that she sought to destabilise the Turkish state. The sentence, however, marks a significant escalation in a case that has drawn international attention and criticism from human rights advocates.
Prosecutors accused Barım of using her position and influence over actors and media personalities to encourage their participation in the so-called Gezi Park protests in May 2013, a mass movement that began in Istanbul and spread nationwide, challenging then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government over urban development plans.
The 2013 protests began as opposition to plans to redevelop Gezi Park, one of the few green spaces left near central Istanbul’s iconic Taksim Square. What began as a small demonstration quickly escalated into widespread anti-government rallies calling for political reform. Although initially peaceful, the protests were met with a harsh crackdown by security forces, leading to casualties, arrests and long-lasting political fallout.
In handing down the sentence, the Istanbul court ruled that Barım’s alleged actions were part of a broader attempt to undermine state authority and threaten the constitutional order. Prosecutors had pushed for even harsher penalties, demanding what amounts to life imprisonment under Turkish law — which allows extremely long terms for crimes related to attempts to overthrow the government or prevent it from fulfilling its duties, Turkey court jails talent manager for 12 years.
Barım’s legal team and supporters have argued that the charges are disproportionate and politically charged, pointing out that the protests in question were led by a diverse group of citizens, activists and ordinary residents expressing dissent on government policy rather than engaging in an organised coup attempt. They also noted that Barım suffered from serious health issues while in detention, including heart problems that required medical attention.
The talent manager was briefly released from custody in late 2025 due to health concerns, but she was re-arrested within 24 hours after a prosecutor successfully appealed the release, citing security and legal considerations.
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Barım has denied ever orchestrating participation in the protests. In court documents and prior statements, she said her role was to manage actors’ careers and that any appearance by her clients at demonstrations was voluntary, reflecting their personal convictions. She said she only visited the protest area a few times personally, without directing actors or coordinating actions, Turkey court jails talent manager for 12 years
Supporters of Barım have also highlighted that many artists she worked with gave testimony in her defence during the legal proceedings, asserting that they made their own independent decisions to participate in demonstrations. Despite such testimony, prosecutors maintained that her communications and contacts with participants could be construed as aiding a broader opposition movement against the government.
The sentence handed down in the case has drawn sharp reactions from both domestic and international observers. Human rights advocates and legal experts have criticised the length of the prison term and the use of broad legal interpretations that equate protest-related activity with attempts to overthrow the government. They argue that the prosecution of individuals connected to the Gezi protests reflects a wider pattern of cracking down on dissent and political opposition in Turkey – a trend documented in recent years by international rights groups, Turkey court jails talent manager for 12 years.
Critics of the Turkish government’s approach say that cases like Barım’s contribute to an environment in which political expression and free association are increasingly constrained by legal action, and they worry that tying historical protest activity to contemporary charges of “overthrowing the government” may deter free speech and dissent, Turkey court jails talent manager for 12 years.
Barım’s sentencing also comes amid a broader political context in Turkey, where authorities have tightened judicial and security measures in response to protests, civil unrest and perceived threats to political stability. Observers note that numerous other figures — including journalists, politicians and activists — have faced charges related to alleged threats against state authority in recent years, reflecting a climate of heightened sensitivity to dissent, Turkey court jails talent manager for 12 years.
Whether Barım will appeal the 12-plus years sentence is not yet clear. Her legal representatives have signalled they will pursue every available avenue in higher courts, including appeals to Turkey’s high judicial institutions and possibly to international rights bodies.
For now, Turkey court jails talent manager for 12 years over ‘bid to overthrow govt’ remains one of the most high-profile examples in recent years of how the Turkish judiciary is handling cases linked to political protests and alleged threats to state authority — a situation that continues to attract scrutiny as Ankara balances internal security concerns with constitutional freedom.
