22 June 2025
The Istanbul Criminal Judgeship of Peace ordered the arrest of journalist Fatih Altaylı on charges of “threatening President Erdoğan.” Altaylı had been taken into custody on 21 June from his home in Teşvikiye, Istanbul, over a comment he made on his YouTube channel on 20 June.
The journalist, with 45 years of professional experience, stated before both the prosecutor and the court that he knew President Erdoğan personally and had no intention of threatening him. Nevertheless, he was arrested on charges of “Threatening the President” (Turkish Penal Code, Article 310/2 in reference to 106/1) and sent to prison.
17 July 2025
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment against journalist Fatih Altaylı, charging him with “threatening the President.” The prosecution requested a prison sentence of no less than five years under Article 310/2 of the Turkish Penal Code (“Assassination and physical assault against the President”).
According to the indictment, during a YouTube broadcast, Altaylı responded to a question about President Erdoğan by citing historical examples of sultans who were “killed or strangled when the people disliked them,” and then reinforced this analogy with further remarks. The prosecution argued that these statements amounted to a threat, implying that an attack on Erdoğan’s life could take place.
The indictment was submitted to the high criminal court.
The first hearing of the trial is scheduled for 3 October 2025 at Courtroom No. 2, across from Marmara Prison Complex.
3 October 2025
Journalist Fatih Altaylı appeared at his first hearing before the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court, held in the courthouse across from Silivri Marmara Closed Prison. Altaylı, who is being held in pre-trial detention on charges of “threatening the President” (Article 310 of the Turkish Penal Code), was ordered to remain in detention. The court accepted the prosecutor’s request, citing risk of flight and proportionality of detention. The trial was adjourned to 26 November 2025.
