Prominent Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı has been released from custody pending appeal following a four-year prison sentence for allegedly threatening President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a YouTube broadcast, in a case drawing international condemnation over press freedom concerns in Türkiye.
The Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court ordered the release of Fatih Altaylı on Monday after sentencing him on 26 November to four years and two months in prison for statements deemed threats against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with the journalist having been detained since his arrest on 21 June 2025 in Istanbul.
Journalist Freed Days After Conviction
Fatih Altaylı, a well-known columnist and YouTube broadcaster with over one million subscribers, was released from custody on Monday, according to reports from Türkiye Today and APA citing NTV, just days after the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court upheld his conviction and imposed a sentence of four years and two months for threatening the president. The court had initially ordered his continued detention following the 26 November verdict, but issued a release order whose specific conditions were not immediately detailed. According to the International Federation of Journalists, Altaylı was arrested hours after a segment of his YouTube live broadcast went viral on social media, where he provided political commentary responding to a poll showing 70 per cent of the Turkish public opposing a proposal to allow the president to remain in power indefinitely.
As reported by Türkiye Today, the conviction stemmed from remarks Altaylı made on his YouTube channel, which the court determined constituted threats suggesting Erdoğan could be assassinated or killed, with the videos viewed hundreds of thousands of times on a platform accessible internationally.
Background to Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Fatih Altaylı was taken into custody and arrested on 21 June 2025 by the Istanbul 10th Criminal Court of Peace, which approved the prosecutor’s request citing the severity of the offence of criminal threat and a risk of flight, despite such offences typically not warranting pretrial detention for sentences under two years, according to ARTICLE 19. During his trial, Altaylı maintained his innocence, stating at the 26 November hearing, “Why would the president be afraid of me? I’m not a [terrorist] organization member or anything. I never resorted to violence,” as quoted by the Committee to Protect Journalists. He further remarked, “There’s nothing the President would fear or perceive as a threat from my speech. I have no such influence,” according to the International Federation of Journalists. Altaylı’s lawyers announced they would appeal the decision.
Court’s Rationale and Rejection of Defence
In its reasoned decision, the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court rejected Altaylı’s defence that his statements fell within press freedom and freedom of expression, referencing a 2007 Supreme Court of Appeals ruling that requires news to be true, current, serve public interest, and maintain intellectual connection in presentation, as detailed by Türkiye Today. The court stated that in most contemporary countries, expressions aimed at changing the legal order by force, creating hatred, discrimination, hostility, and violence are not protected and are punishable crimes. It concluded Altaylı’s remarks incited violence and did not qualify for protection.
International Outcry Over Press Freedom
Multiple press freedom organisations condemned the case as an erosion of media rights in Türkiye. The International Federation of Journalists described the sentencing as “another alarming step in the ongoing erosion of press freedom in Türkiye” and called for Altaylı’s immediate release, emphasising that journalists must question those in power without retaliation. ARTICLE 19 regarded the arrest as an abuse of criminal law to silence critical commentary, urging authorities to cease exploiting vague provisions against journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists, through its Turkey representative Özgür Öğret, called the verdict “a misguided verdict but an open call for self-censorship by the country’s entire news media” and demanded release pending appeal. The Association of European Journalists labelled it a “grave assault on press freedom” and part of judicial persecution, calling for dismissal of charges and protection of journalists’ rights to criticise officials. PEN Berlin protested the arrest in June 2025, with spokesperson Deniz Yücel stating, “Altayli’s arrest is not a sign of strength, but of weakness on the part of this regime.” Following the arrest, Türkiye’s Radio and Television Supreme Council warned Altaylı’s YouTube channel to obtain a broadcasting licence within 72 hours or face closure, as reported by ARTICLE 19.
Implications for Media and Next Steps
Altaylı’s channel, which has continued operating with millions of views and hosting opposition voices, underscores the role of independent online media amid restrictions, according to the Association of European Journalists. The conviction and subsequent release pending appeal highlight ongoing tensions, with organisations like the Committee to Protect Journalists noting no response from Istanbul’s chief prosecutor’s office to queries. Altaylı’s legal team plans to pursue the appeal process, while international groups continue demanding his full exoneration and broader reforms to safeguard expression.
Fatih Altaylı’s release from Istanbul’s Silivri prison pending appeal marks a development in his case after nearly six months in detention, following a conviction for comments on President Erdoğan broadcast to a vast online audience, amid widespread criticism from global press advocates over the use of anti-terror and threat laws against journalists in Türkiye.
