Onur from 'One Thousand and One Nights' was convicted of perjury in Türkiye

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.

It was also alleged that the actor had at least a dozen interactions during the protests with activist Memet Ali Alabora, identified as one of the movement's leaders.

With these elements, the court concluded that Ergenç committed perjury. Despite this, his lack of prior offenses and the respect he showed during the proceedings led the judge to suspend the sentence.

Actor Riza Kocaoglu received the same sentence for similar reasons.

"I didn't lie": Halit Ergenç's defense

During the final hearing, Ergenç reaffirmed his version and rejected the accusations. "My statement was sincere. I didn't lie. I request my acquittal because the elements of the crime were not proven," he stated before the court.

He also questioned the use of images showing him at the protests. "My statement was as a witness. I wasn't asked whether I knew them or not. I answered everything I was asked," he insisted.

His lawyers announced that they'll appeal the ruling to higher courts.

A trial with political echoes

Human rights organizations and cultural figures denounced a judicial offensive against art figures in Türkiye.

"Artists have great influence in Türkiye. Moreover, most are dissidents. They face injustices. It's clear that the government wants to break that," declared actor Mehmet Esen to France24.

Halit Ergenç's case exposed the use of courts as a tool to discipline critical culture. Although he won't go to prison for now, his sentence leaves a mark that's difficult to erase on his career.