Halit Ergenç, who won the hearts of millions as Onur in One Thousand and One Nights, was sentenced to 1 year, 10 months, and 15 days in prison for the crime of perjury.
The sentence, issued by Istanbul's 24th Criminal Court of First Instance, will not be enforced immediately, as it has been suspended. However, it sparked a wave of international repercussions.
The case carries a deep political weight: the actor was prosecuted for his statement in a case linked to the Gezi Park protests, a social uprising that marked a turning point in contemporary Türkiye.
From television icon to judicial target
Between 2006 and 2009, Ergenç starred in Binbir Gece, the Turkish drama that later became a sensation in Latin America after its 2015 broadcast on El Trece. His fame was solidified with The Sultan, aired by Telefe, where he portrayed the powerful Suleiman.
Away from the spotlight, he maintained a discreet life. He has been married to actress Bergüzar Korel since 2009, his co-star in One Thousand and One Nights, and they have three children. In recent years, the family settled in London.
In January 2025, the outlet France24 revealed that several Turkish artists were facing legal proceedings for alleged participation in the 2013 Gezi Park protests. Ergenç's representative, Ayşe Barım, was one of the main defendants.
Testimony under scrutiny
Ergenç testified as a witness in the trial against Barım and claimed to have participated in the demonstrations on his own initiative. However, the Prosecutor's Office maintained that he lied.
According to the accusation, the agency ID İletişim—which manages the actor's career—allegedly orchestrated his participation and that of other artists. Messages, photos, and call records were presented as evidence of this alleged coordination.
