Journalist Fatih Altaylı, who has been held in pre-trial detention since June 22, appeared before a court in Istanbul-Silivri for the second time. He was sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in prison on charges of “threatening the president,” and the court ruled that he will remain in custody. If the verdict is upheld on appeal, Altaylı is expected to spend about eight more months behind bars.
The charges stem from comments Altaylı made on his YouTube channel, which authorities claimed amounted to a threat against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Altaylı firmly rejected the accusation in court. “Why would the president be afraid of me? I am not a member of any organization and I have never resorted to violence,” he said. He called the allegations “unfair and unreasonable” to both himself and the president, and demanded acquittal.
The prosecution insisted on a minimum sentence of five years. The case is based solely on the YouTube video in question. Altaylı’s lawyer argued that the idea that the president could feel threatened by such comments is “completely unfounded,” noting that no other evidence exists.
Why the case raises serious concerns
Observers highlight that prosecuting journalists for critical statements constitutes a serious restriction on press freedom. In democratic societies, political criticism — even harsh criticism — is considered a core part of public discourse and must not be criminalized.
Such cases create a chilling effect on media and society by visibly narrowing the space for free expression. Sentencing a journalist to years in prison for political commentary contradicts fundamental principles of a free and democratic legal system.
Altaylı remains in Silivri Prison as he awaits the appeals process.