Overview
- The Beşiktaş district governor barred all concerts and ticketed events at Zorlu PSM and the wider Zorlu Center from 00:01 on February 10 to 23:59 on February 11 under Laws No. 2911 and 5442.
- The order canceled Slaughter To Prevail’s February 10 show and Behemoth’s February 11 performance at the Turkcell Stage.
- Behemoth stated the cancellations use ideology to suppress artistic expression and cultural freedom after what they described as pressure from religious groups.
- Conservative outlets Yeni Akit and Akit TV accused the bands of satanism, fueling the public backlash officials cited in justifying the ban.
- Governor Davut Gül said no activity that corrupts society would be allowed, while Slaughter To Prevail’s Alex Terrible denied any satanic agenda and attributed the move to pressure from an Islamist group, with no new dates announced.