Turkish anti-narcotics police detained rappers Ezhel, Khontkar and Young Bego in late May 2018, accusing them of promoting drug use via their lyrics.

On 23 January 2018, musician and 2010 Freemuse Award winner Ferhat Tunç was presented with a third indictment in four months over political messages posted on his social media.

Syrian filmmaker Muhammad Bayazid was stabbed on 10 October 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey, at a fundraising meeting for his upcoming movie "The Tunnel".

An LGBT film festival backed by the German embassy was banned by Turkish authorities as they said event could provoke or trigger dangerous reactions.

On 21 October 2017, a group of protesters, who led chants against secularism, attempted to destroy a sculpture and shut down an exhibition in Istanbul.

Singer Ferhat Tunç potentially faces 5 years and 8 months in prison on charges of “insulting the president” for messages shared via social media.

The sacking of thousands of public servants is alarming, but it also meant the shocking practical shut down of Turkey's most important theatre.

The 2016 compilation provides insight on threats to artistic freedom in Poland, Turkey, Greece, India and Vietnam.

As Turkey heads to a constitutional referendum on 16 April 2017, steps have been taken at home & abroad to influence voters that have also affected artists.

Turkish artist Zehra Doğan was sentenced to 2 years, 9 months & 22 days in prison for her painting showing the destruction of the Kurdish city of Mardin.