Investigation launched into Istanbul Municipality’s exhibition after attacks of Islamist groups

A Turkish prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into an exhibition which is being displayed at the ArtIstanbul Feshane of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality over “inciting the public to hatred and hostility.” Islamist groups have attempted to attack the exhibition for various times since the opening, claiming it was promoting “LGBTI+ and socialism propaganda.”

Tuesday September 05 2023 04:04 pm

Duvar English

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into an exhibition being displayed at the cultural center ArtIstanbul Feshane of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) on the charge of “inciting the public to hatred and hostility,” journalist İsmail Saymaz reported on Sept. 5.

Islamist groups have attempted to attack the exhibition called “Beginning from the Middle” (“Ortadan Başlamak” in Turkish), in which 19 curators and 300 artists participated, since its opening on June 22, claiming photographs containing sexuality and nudity were being displayed and that it was promoting “LGBTI+ and socialism propaganda.”

Some groups gathered in front of ArtIstanbul Feshane, a 19th-century military factory which recently opened after being restored by the municipality over the last four years, and wanted to get inside the building by shouting “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest) after they made a press statement.

The municipality, run by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), did not take a step back in the face of the attacks and did not cancel the exhibition.

In a letter sent to the municipality, Prosecutor Hakan Aksoy stated that an investigation was launched regarding the paintings in the exhibition.

Aksoy also asked the municipality for the names and addresses of those involved in the organization and curation of the exhibition.

On the other hand, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on Sept. 5 deemed the investigation “shameful.”

“You are telling the world that we do not have democracy and especially there is no respect for art. You create such an environment so that no one visits this country. Today, I invite sensible people in the government to take precautions against the evil people who are waiting on alert and ready to cause such permanent damage to our country,” İmamoğlu said while answering the questions of the journalists in Istanbul according to reporting from ANKA News Agency.