# Legal investigation of singer Mabel Matiz in Turkey

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/legal-investigation-of-singer-mabel-matiz-in-turkey
> Updated: 2026-08-21T10:43:33.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an ex officio investigation into Turkish singer Mabel Matiz (Fatih Karaca) regarding his song and music video ‘Ha Leylim’. Authorities are examining the lyrics and visual content under Article 226 of the Turkish Penal Code, which concerns the crime of obscenity. Following the announcement, an access ban was reportedly placed on the music video on YouTube in Turkey.

During testimony at the Istanbul Justice Palace, Matiz denied the allegations, stating the song is a work of art and that the music video was intended to depict traditional Thrace weddings. He defended scenes featuring two men dancing together, arguing such depictions are part of “art, cinema, and literature” and do not constitute a crime. He also expressed frustration regarding the systematic interpretation of his works through the lens of his identity, questioning if similar scrutiny would be applied to other artists.

Following the investigation, Matiz has been issued a ban on traveling abroad. This follows previous legal challenges for the artist, who was recently acquitted of obscenity charges related to his song ‘Perperişan’ after a court ruled that the legal elements of the offense had not been established.

## Claims

- The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the song and music video ‘Ha Leylim’ for obscenity. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- A judicial control measure in the form of a ban on traveling abroad was imposed on singer Mabel Matiz. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Mabel Matiz denied the obscenity charges, stating that the song is a work of art. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Matiz argued that two men looking at or dancing with each other in a video does not constitute a crime. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Matiz was previously acquitted in a case regarding the lyrics of his song ‘Perperişan’. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The singer explained that the music video was prepared with director Sinan Tuncay to depict Thrace weddings. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-21: Mabel Matiz issued travel ban following obscenity investigation

Turkish singer Mabel Matiz has been issued a travel ban following an obscenity investigation into his song and video ‘Ha Leylim.’ He maintains the work is a legitimate piece of art.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mabel-matiz-issued-travel-ban-following-obscenity-investigation

### 2026-08-13: Mabel Matiz faces obscenity investigation over song and video

Turkish prosecutors have launched an obscenity investigation into singer Mabel Matiz regarding the lyrics and music video of his song “Ha Leylim”.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mabel-matiz-faces-investigation-over-ha-leylim-song-and-video

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Cite as: Legal investigation of singer Mabel Matiz in Turkey. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/legal-investigation-of-singer-mabel-matiz-in-turkey