Rationale: “Making Movements Evoking Sexual Intercourse”; 3 Months and 22 Days Prison Sentence Given, Sentence Pronouncement Deferred
ISTANBUL, Turkey – Members of the Manifest group and Aydeed (Ayça Dalaklı), who performed with them, received a sentence in the case where they faced charges of “indecent acts by means of exhibitionism.” The Istanbul 49th Criminal Court of First Instance sentenced all defendants to 3 months and 22 days in prison. However, the court decided to defer the pronouncement of the verdict (HAGB) and lifted the judicial control measures, specifically the travel ban, placed on the group members.
📝 Section 1: The Court’s Decision and Rationale
The justification for the verdict was based on the dance figures and movements performed during the stage show. The court ruled that these movements constituted the crime of “indecent acts” under the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).
- Sentence Given: All defendants received a 3 months and 22 days prison sentence.
- HAGB Ruling: The court decided to defer the pronouncement of the verdict (HAGB). This means the sentence will not be recorded if the defendants do not commit a new crime during a specified probationary period.
- Justification: The court explained its decision using the following statements: “The movements the defendants participated in, including dance figures, and the two singers touching and embracing in a manner that evokes sexual intercourse while singing and repeating these movements…” The rationale also included performing movements that involved bending over while facing away from the stage and pointing to the genital area, even if over clothing.
🌐 Section 2: How The Process Unfolded
The lawsuit began with an ex officio investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office following the Manifest Group’s concert performances at Küçükçiftlik Park in Istanbul.
- Investigation: The Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation on charges of “indecent acts” and “exhibitionism” due to the performances.
- Prosecutor’s Statement: The Prosecutor’s Office stated that the actions constituted a “violation of society’s shared sense of modesty and decency” and had “a negative impact on children and young people.”
- Access Ban: Access to the Manifest concert footage was blocked by the Ankara 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace, citing the need to protect “national security and public order.”
- Concert Cancellation: The group also faced a concert cancellation during their Turkey tour in Erzurum, where the Metropolitan Municipality cited the band’s stage costumes as “inappropriate.”
🎤 Section 3: Information About Manifest Group
Manifest is a six-member group consisting of Mina Solak, Esin Bahat, Zeynep Sude Oktay, Lidya Pınar, Sueda Uluca, and Emine Hilal Yelekçi.
- The group began their stage career with launch concerts in Istanbul on February 16th and 17th, following the Big5 competition.
- Their first album, “Manifestival,” was released on June 13th.
- Manifest has nearly two million total followers across Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube.
