Journalist Fatih Altaylı Sent to Silivri Prison Over Erdoğan Remarks

The investigation was launched after Altaylı discussed the results of a public opinion poll suggesting that 70% of respondents opposed the idea of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan remaining in office for life. Commenting on the figures, Altaylı said “That percentage is pretty much what I expected. Other than a significant portion of AKP voters and some MHP voters, nobody would support such an idea. Look at this nation's past — not the recent past, but further back — this is a people who, when they didn’t like their sultan, when they didn’t want him anymore, would have him strangled. Many Ottoman sultans were killed, assassinated, or given the appearance of suicide. It’s not uncommon.”

Following the broadcast, Presidential Chief Advisor Oktay Saral posted a video of the segment on social media, warning: “Altaylı, the water is starting to boil.”

In response, prosecutors launched an investigation on charges of threatening the President. Altaylı was taken into custody and later formally arrested. After appearing before a judge, he was remanded to Silivri Prison.

The decision has sparked widespread debate over freedom of speech in Turkey, with critics arguing that Altaylı’s historical reference and political analysis were taken out of context to justify an arrest. The case continues to draw significant public and media attention.