Scandal in Turkey: Famous actress faces prison over vibrator necklace on YouTube show

Well-known Turkish actress and photographer Bennu Gerede has found herself at the epicenter of a criminal scandal. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched a criminal case against the 54-year-old celebrity under charges of "obscenity," which now threatens her with real prison time.

The prosecution was triggered by Gerede's recent appearance on the YouTube podcast Yargisiz ("Without Judgment"), hosted by Emel Özugur. During a candid conversation about her personal life, the guest showed viewers an unusual piece of jewelry around her neck. She stated that the pendant was a "portable vibrator" that is convenient to always carry around in case of a sudden surge in libido.

"Sometimes I feel my sexual desire intensifying. It can be used at any time. You can go to the restroom and use it, or even while driving," the actress shared on the air.

Such candid admissions did not go unnoticed by the authorities. The prosecutor's office of Istanbul's Bakırköy district promptly initiated an investigation. Soon after, Gerede was brought to court, where she was formally charged under Article 226 of the Turkish Penal Code, which penalizes the distribution of obscene content via the internet. Under this article, the law provides for a prison sentence ranging from six months to three years.

Currently, the court has released the actress on her own recognizance, banning her from leaving the country. In parallel, the Turkish prosecutor's office has sent an official demand to YouTube management with a strict condition — to block the scandalous podcast episode for users within Turkey.