“Magnificent Century” star Halit Ergenç accused of lying in court

The Turkish show business world is once again in the spotlight due to a high-profile legal case. Famous actor Halit Ergenç, who played Sultan Suleiman II in the historical TV series “Magnificent Century,” was sentenced by a court to 1 year and 10 months in prison. This was reported by Turkey’s Anadolu agency.

Ergenç was accused of giving false testimony during the investigation. Initially, the Istanbul court sentenced him to 2 years and 3 months in prison. However, the sentence was reduced due to the actor’s respectful behavior in court and cooperation with the investigation. Actor Rıza Kocaoğlu also received a prison sentence, but since neither of them had a criminal record, the punishment was conditionally suspended. Therefore, they will not be imprisoned for now.

Protests and false statements

The case is linked to the mass protests of 2013, which began in Istanbul’s Gezi Park as an environmental movement and later turned into a large-scale anti-government demonstration.

Halit Ergenç was involved in the case as a witness. Prosecutors were interested in his connections with one of the main figures in the case — actor and activist Mehmet Ali Alabora. Ergenç stated that he did not have a close relationship with him, but phone call records and photos taken during the protests contradicted his testimony.

Accusations and the actor’s response

The prosecution demanded a sentence of 2 to 4 years in prison for giving false testimony. During the trial, Ergenç denied the allegations, saying he only answered questions and did not lie. He also explained that his acquaintance with other individuals involved in the case, including manager Ayşe Borim, was superficial and did not imply a close relationship.

Ergenç expressed regret for not filing a counterclaim after the publication of the photos and call data, despite public misinterpretation of his role in the events.

In conclusion

Although this may seem like a typical showbiz news story, this case reminds us that even celebrities are accountable before the law. The story involving Ergenç has attracted attention not only from fans but also the general public. It has shown that his real-life image differs from his grand on-screen persona.