22 November 2024
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an ex officio investigation (i.e., initiated without a formal complaint) against journalist Fatih Altaylı on the charge of “publicly disseminating misleading information” under Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code. The investigation concerns Altaylı’s column titled “Enkazdan korkmayan mapustan korkmaz” (“Those unafraid of the rubble won’t fear prison”), published on 21 November 2024, which included the allegation that President Erdoğan showed MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli certain footage related to MHP MPs. The allegation was denied the same day by the Directorate of Communications’ Center for Fighting Disinformation.
