Turkish Actor Halit Ergenç Given Suspended Sentence for False Testimony
Turkish actor Halit Ergenç, best known for his role as Sultan Suleiman in the TV series Magnificent Century, has been sentenced to 1 year and 10 months in prison, suspended, for providing false testimony during an investigation.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Istanbul Criminal Court initially sentenced Ergenç to 2 years and 3 months, but the penalty was reduced due to his respectful conduct during the trial.
Ergenç was accused of giving false statements about his connections with fellow actor and activist Mehmet Ali Alabora, one of the key figures involved in the 2013 Gezi Park protests. Prosecutors argued that Ergenç’s testimony contradicted phone records and photographs showing him with Alabora during the demonstrations.
Ergenç denied the allegations, stating that he only answered the investigators’ questions and did not intend to mislead. He added that his acquaintance with others involved in the case, including manager Ayşe Borim, was superficial.
Actor Rıza Kocaoğlu, also under investigation in the same case, received a suspended sentence. Neither actor will serve time, as both had no prior convictions.
