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June 21, 2025 – Turkey –
Prominent Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı was detained on June 22, 2025, over allegations that he threatened President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a recent YouTube broadcast. The arrest marks another alarming chapter in Turkey’s ongoing crackdown on dissent and press freedom.
Altaylı, a veteran journalist with decades of experience in mainstream Turkish media and over 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, has been a vocal critic of the government. In his recent video, he referenced a poll showing overwhelming public opposition to Erdoğan serving as president for life. He remarked that Turkey is a country “that once strangled its sultans,” referring to a historical pattern of toppling autocratic rulers. Prosecutors interpreted the comment as a veiled threat against Erdoğan.
The Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation under Article 310/2 of the Turkish Penal Code, which criminalizes threats against the head of state. Altaylı has denied any criminal intent, stating that his comment was a historical reference, not an incitement or personal threat. Despite his defense, he was taken into custody for questioning, raising concerns about the state’s growing intolerance for critical commentary.
Altaylı’s arrest has sparked national and international concern. Rights groups and press freedom advocates argue that the case exemplifies the Erdoğan administration’s use of vague legal charges to silence journalists and suppress political opposition. Critics note that this is part of a broader trend, including the recent arrests of opposition politicians, elected mayors, and other independent media figures.
Observers view the detention as an attempt to further intimidate independent voices ahead of any upcoming political shifts or challenges to Erdoğan’s authority. The incident has also drawn attention to the shrinking space for free speech in Turkey, where many journalists face harassment, prosecution, or imprisonment.
Altaylı’s future remains uncertain. His detention could lead to formal charges or, as in some past cases, conditional release amid public and diplomatic pressure. Regardless, his arrest underscores the precarious state of press freedom in Turkey and the risks faced by those who dare to speak critically in an increasingly authoritarian climate.
Reference –
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2605337/middle-east
https://apnews.com/article/turkey-fatih-altayli-erdogan-1391a945ba7178eb2b827951678823a0
