Debate rekindles over Türkiye’s Gezi Park protests—Here’s why

Turkish authorities detained Ayse Barim, founder of a prominent talent agency, Friday, under charges of “attempting to abolish the Turkish Republic or obstruct its duties.”

The arrest follows a September 2024 column by a pro-government journalist who alleged monopolistic practices in Türkiye’s TV and drama industries. Founded in 2002, Barim’s company represents many of Türkiye’s high-profile actors. 

Social media erupted in debate after the article’s publication, with celebrities and industry figures criticizing concentrated power in entertainment. Several prominent authors and journalists joined the controversy by taking a critical stance, framing the debate through the lens of culture wars.

Prosecutors later expanded their inquiry, linking Barim to a revived investigation into the 2013 Gezi Park protests. Barim’s home and offices are being searched. Famous actors Halit Ergenc and Dolunay Soysert, both represented by Barim’s firm, were called for interrogation but not detained.

Gezi Park protests: A decadelong shadow

The 2013 Gezi Park protests began as opposition to an Istanbul urban development plan but morphed into nationwide demonstrations against perceived authoritarianism under then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Protests erupted during a period of unprecedented economic growth, with officials dismissing the unrest as “foreign-backed chaos” while international media coverage intensified.

Indictments now frame recent protests as an international conspiracy. Court documents link them to OTPOR, a Serbian group associated with Gene Sharp’s nonviolent resistance theories and George Soros’ Open Society Institute. Osman Kavala, jailed since 2017, is accused of being a key financier and organizer with ties to these groups.

Renewed Gezi indictment

The indictment highlights a July 2012 meeting in Cairo between OTPOR co-founder Ivan Marovic and Turkish filmmaker Memet Ali Alabora, later active in the protests. Alabora’s tweets, including “This isn’t just about Gezi Park,” are cited as evidence of incitement, with the statement being the peak of the tension during the protests. Kavala’s travel to Belgium, Germany, and the U.S. in 2012 is framed as part of a “premeditated network.” 

Prosecutors stress the role of social media in amplifying the Gezi movement. Hashtags like #OccupyGezi and #DirenGeziParki generated over 7.2 million tweets, which authorities allege were part of a deliberately coordinated campaign. Investigators claim the then-popular Occupy movement was co-opted by foreign activists and repurposed in Türkiye to serve distinct objectives.

Barim, meanwhile, is now accused of leveraging her influence within the sector to act as a “foreign influence agent.” The Gezi Park protests left a lasting trauma within the government, and even today, most citizen groups are effectively barred from exercising their right to protest in the nearby area.

Theater play

A theater production features prominently in the case. Prosecutors allege rehearsals began shortly after Kavala’s 2012 international travels, with the play depicting a fictional rebellion against a head of state. They argue it aimed to “normalize anti-government action.”

During this period, suspects reportedly stated, “Twitter can enable revolutions” and “countries are overthrown in 140 characters.” Alabora and others allegedly used social media to escalate tensions, with authorities claiming such rhetoric laid the groundwork for the 2013 unrest. 

Barim’s alleged coordination

According to official documents, phone records reveal a 2013 discussion between Barim and Alabora about timing a “damaging statement” to coincide with peak protests. Prosecutors claim Barim directed her affiliated actors to join demonstrations, citing internal agency communications. 

Investigators also allege Barim participated in rallies with “bringing clients,” though specific evidence remains undisclosed. The agency’s alleged exclusion of non-affiliated actors is portrayed as a tactic to consolidate influence, enabling the political mobilization of aligned artists. 

Ongoing investigations, other repercussions

Searches at Barim’s offices focus on alleged financial ties between the talent agent and Gezi defendants, including Kavala and Alabora. The latter remains a fugitive, charged with “organizing the overthrow attempt.” Alabora is noted for his remarks on Twitter, including a post stating, “This is not just about the park; haven’t you realized that yet?”

The case has rattled Türkiye’s entertainment industry, with producers delaying projects involving Barim’s clients. Many critics argue the charges conflate artistic management with political subversion, risking censorship. Meanwhile, government-aligned media figures set the probe as exposing “cultural elites” abusing influence. 

Years after

Türkiye’s enduring polarization over the Gezi protests and their legacy seems like it is resurfacing. With the prosecution tying media monopolization to national security threats, the trial may set precedents for state oversight at another level, with high-profile actors summoned for questioning after years of public visibility. fueling concerns over Türkiye’s judicial stability. The end of the courtroom drama will be determined by the concerns over Türkiye’s judicial stability.