An Istanbul court on Wednesday handed a 12-and-a-half-year prison sentence to a well-known television talent manager for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government during the 2013 nationwide protests, according to state news agency Anadolu.
Prosecutors had initially sought a life sentence for Ayse Barim, 55, accusing her of trying to topple the government — allegations she has consistently rejected since her arrest in January 2025.
The case is tied to the Gezi Park protests, which began over plans to redevelop a park in Istanbul and quickly grew into widespread demonstrations against then-prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Authorities claimed Barim encouraged actors under her management to join the protests.
Although she was briefly released in October due to serious health concerns, she was taken back into custody just a day later.
