Well-known pop singer Gülşen was detained on Thursday as a result of an investigation for "inciting the people into hatred and animosity" because of her remarks about Muslim vocational schools, known as "imam-hatip schools".

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office opened the investigation after a video excerpt from the concert circulated on social media. In the video, the singer said: "He studied at an imam hatip school before. This is where his perversion comes from," sparking laughter from the audience. It is not clear whom she was talking about.

Gülşen was detained after giving her statement to the prosecutor at the Istanbul Courthouse, and remanded in custody.

The singer was the target of a smear campaign by pro-government media and social media because of her remarks.