Investigation into Mabel Matiz's "Ha Leylim" Video Completed

The investigation initiated ex officio regarding the music video of artist Mabel Matiz titled "Ha Leylim", released on August 10, 2026, has been completed. Following the investigation carried out within the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the prosecutor's office prepared the indictment and requested a lawsuit against the artist.

No changes were made to the travel ban imposed on Mabel Matiz during the investigation. The prosecutor's office left the final evaluation as to whether the ban, which is a judicial control measure, will be lifted or not to the court that will conduct the trial.

The investigation in question was carried out within the scope of Article 226 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), which is included in the section titled "Crimes Against Public Morality" and regulates the crime of "Obscenity".

DANCE SCENE WAS GIVEN THE REASON IN THE INdictment

In the indictment prepared, the images starting from the 3rd minute and 51st second of the music video were used as a direct basis for the alleged accusation.

According to the prosecutor's findings in the indictment, it was stated that "the male person in the role of the groom" and another man in a yellow suit entered the frame in an open area where many people were sitting and lying on the ground. It was recorded that one of the people took off his jacket, and then the two people danced together. The indictment included the assessment that repetitive movements were performed during this dance, with significant use of the arm and hip areas.

In addition, it was stated in the report that only the musical background was included in the beginning of the image, and in the following seconds, the lyrics accompanied these images.

"OBSCENDING" EVALUATION CREATED A DEBATE

The most striking aspect of the investigation was that the prosecutor's office evaluated the dance figures in the clip within the limits of Article 226 of the Turkish Penal Code. These details in the indictment led to renewed discussion in legal circles about the boundaries between criminal law and freedom of expression and art.

If the case is accepted and the trial begins, the court will make the final decision on whether the parts of the clip in question contain the elements within the scope of TCK 226.

WHAT IS TCK ARTICLE 226?

Article 226 of the Turkish Penal Code regulates the crime of "obscenity" and the sanctions to be applied.

The actions defined as crimes in the law are summarized as follows:

Giving, showing or making children listen to obscene material.

Publicly displaying and publishing obscene products in places where children can enter or see them.

To trade, sell, rent or advertise such products.

Publishing or mediating the publication of obscene images, texts or words through the press and broadcasting. (In these cases, imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years and a judicial fine of up to 5 thousand days are envisaged).

Artwork Exception (226/7): The 7th paragraph of the article brings a critical exception for artistic and literary works. According to the regulation, provided that content in which children are used is excluded; Obscenity provisions do not apply to works of scientific, artistic or literary value - provided that they are prevented from reaching children.