MLSA - Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı has been sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in prison for allegedly “threatening the president” in a YouTube broadcast, a court ruled Monday. The Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court also ordered that Altaylı remain in custody. He has been in pre-trial detention for 158 days.
The verdict was issued during the second hearing of the case, held at the courthouse located in the Silivri Prison complex, on the western outskirts of Istanbul.
Several prominent public figures attended the hearing in support of Altaylı, including opposition lawmakers Utku Çakırözer (CHP-Eskişehir), Sezgin Tanrıkulu (CHP-Diyarbakır), and Lütfü Türkkan (Good Party), along with academics Celal Şengör and İlber Ortaylı, journalist Murat Bardakçı, and Altaylı’s high school classmates from Istanbul’s prestigious Galatasaray High School.
During the hearing, the prosecutor reiterated the opinion submitted between sessions, requesting a sentence of at least five years and for Altaylı to remain in detention.
“Why would the president be afraid of me?”
In his defense statement, Altaylı opened by saying, “Welcome to Silivri,” referring to the prison campus, and argued that the broadcast in question could not have reasonably caused fear or concern for the president. He noted that individuals facing similar accusations had often been acquitted or released.
“There are 4,000 to 5,000 police officers in the presidential security detail. I checked whether there were any changes to the president’s schedule after my broadcast — there were none. I’m not a member of any organization, and I’ve never resorted to violence. Why would the president be afraid of me?” he said.
Altaylı argued that his prosecution was unfair to both himself and the president, and requested acquittal.
Cited other cases as precedent
In his defense, Altaylı referenced the “Urla case,” which was launched after the failed coup attempt in 2016, noting that even in that trial many defendants had been acquitted of charges related to threatening the president.
“They tried to draw a comparison with my case, but there’s no relevance,” he said.
Defense attorneys: YouTube video is the only evidence
Attorney Ömer Teker, representing Altaylı, emphasized that the case rested solely on one piece of evidence: a YouTube video.
“My client has been detained for 158 days. The only piece of evidence is a YouTube broadcast. There’s nothing in that video that could plausibly cause fear in the president. We demand his acquittal,” Teker said.
Teker also argued that the charge of threatening the president should not be classified among catalog crimes — a category in Turkish criminal law used for the most serious offenses — and said the indictment was based on a legal theory rather than concrete facts.
Attorney Emine Rezzan Aydınoğlu echoed that argument, noting that even after the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, most people tried on similar charges had been acquitted. She emphasized that Altaylı had merely cited a historical example in his broadcast, which should not be considered criminal.
“Words alone cannot constitute a crime”
Another defense lawyer, Metin Sinan Aslan, argued that even a person of average intelligence could understand that mere words do not amount to a physical threat.
“This offense requires an act,” Aslan said, criticizing the prosecutor for citing as precedent the files of military pilots who attacked the presidency during the 2016 coup attempt. “What does that have to do with this case?” he asked.
Final words: 'I request acquittal'
At the end of the hearing, the presiding judge asked Altaylı for his final remarks. Altaylı reiterated his agreement with his attorneys’ statements and requested acquittal. After a 30-minute recess, the court delivered its verdict.
Court issues prison sentence, denies release
The court sentenced Altaylı to 4 years and 2 months in prison and ruled for the continuation of his detention.
Background: What happened?
Altaylı was investigated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office over comments made during a YouTube broadcast on June 20. The video was later clipped by social media users, with only a few seconds being circulated online. Presidential Chief Advisor Oktay Saral responded via social media, posting: “Altaylıııı! Things are heating up for you.”
Altaylı was taken into custody at his home in the Teşvikiye neighborhood of Istanbul on June 22 and was arrested following a court appearance.
