Turkish Journalist Faces Jail Time for Comments About President Erdogan

TDT | Manama

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A well-known Turkish journalist and political commentator, Fatih Altayli, is facing serious legal trouble after prosecutors accused him of threatening President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Human rights group MLSA reported on Thursday that prosecutors are seeking a minimum sentence of five years in prison for Altayli.

Altayli, who was arrested on June 22 and is currently being held in detention near Istanbul, is a familiar face in Turkish media. He has a large following, with over 2.8 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) and 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, where he hosts a daily commentary show.

The charges stem from a recent video where Altayli discussed a public opinion poll. The poll showed that around 70 percent of Turks oppose the idea of Erdogan becoming president for life. During the discussion, Altayli mentioned that many Ottoman sultans were either assassinated or strangled, prompting prosecutors to interpret the remark as a threat to the president's life.

In their indictment, submitted on Thursday, prosecutors argued that Altayli's comments were not simply historical references but carried an implied threat, especially since the video was widely shared online.

Altayli has denied the accusation, saying he was providing historical context and never intended to make any threat. He emphasized that he was engaging in political commentary and not inciting violence.

This case is unfolding at a time when press freedom in Turkey remains under intense scrutiny. According to Reporters Without Borders, Turkey ranks 159th out of 180 countries in their global press freedom index—placing it near the bottom of the list.

President Erdogan, who first came to power as prime minister in 2003 and has been president since 2014, is currently serving his third term. Under current rules, he cannot run again in 2028, but analysts say he may try to extend his time in office through constitutional changes or early elections.

Altayli’s case has sparked concern among free speech advocates, who view it as another example of increasing pressure on journalists and critics of the government.