Prison Sentences Issued for Members of the Manifest Music Group on Charges of “Obscenity”
Members of the music group Manifest had previously faced demands for prison sentences ranging from 6 months to 1 year on charges of “committing indecent acts through public display.” Ultimately, the Istanbul 49th Criminal Court of First Instance sentenced each member of the group to 3 months and 22 days in prison. However, the court decided to suspend the announcement of the verdict.
In addition, the judicial control measure banning foreign travel, which had been imposed on the group members, was lifted.
The members of Manifest have remained in the public spotlight in recent weeks. Following a concert held by the group in Beşiktaş, legal proceedings were initiated against them due to their conduct during the performance. Prosecutors filed a case seeking prison sentences of 6 months to 1 year on charges of “indecent acts committed through public exhibition.”
During the hearing at the Istanbul 49th Criminal Court of First Instance, the court ruled that each defendant be sentenced to 3 months and 22 days in prison, while deciding to defer the announcement of the judgment. Meanwhile, the foreign travel ban previously imposed on seven individuals was also revoked.
Details of the Indictment
After the investigation was completed, an official indictment was prepared and submitted to the court. The indictment stated that the suspects participated in a group dance performance during the concert held on the date of the incident.
According to the prosecution’s assessment, the dance movements in question violated the shared sense of public morality and were considered an attack on values such as decency, chastity, honor, and modesty, which constitute an important part of social culture. It was also stated that these actions could have a harmful impact on children and young people.
“The acts in question carried a sexual nature and undermined society’s shared understanding of privacy and public decency.”
The indictment further emphasized that the acts did not take place in a private setting. As the concert was held in a public venue, images related to the incident were shared on social media and various platforms, reaching an indeterminate number of people in society, including children.
In conclusion, the prosecution requested that the members of the Manifest group be sentenced to up to one year in prison for the offense of “committing indecent acts through public exhibition.”
