- Istanbul police detained a YouTube host and a rapper after a broadcast triggered legal concerns.
- The segment referenced a teaching of Prophet Muhammad, seen by prosecutors as potentially inflammatory.
- Both creators are being held in custody ahead of trial.
- They argue the remark was intended as harmless wordplay from a viewer comment.
- The incident underscores the sensitive nature of religious topics for online media in Turkey.
Istanbul police have detained a YouTube host and his guest rapper after a broadcast sparked concerns over potential religious offense.
The segment featured a remark referencing a teaching attributed to Prophet Muhammad, which prosecutors said could provoke religious tension among viewers.
The court has decided to keep both men in custody until their trial begins. Authorities argued that the content crossed a legal line, though the creators insisted the segment was not intended to offend anyone.
The YouTuber removed the video after the incident and issued an online statement explaining that the line in question was a comment submitted by a viewer, which he read on air as part of the show.
The rapper similarly rejected accusations of deliberate offense, saying the comment had been misunderstood.
This case has drawn significant attention in Turkey, highlighting the challenges online personalities face when humor intersects with religion and cultural sensitivities.
