Journalist Fatih Altaylı to Stand Trial on October 3 for Alleged Threats Against President

Veteran journalist Fatih Altaylı is set to appear before a judge on October 3, after a criminal indictment was accepted over remarks he made on his YouTube channel, which prosecutors claim constitute a threat against the President of Turkey.

The trial will be held at Courtroom No. 2 of the Silivri (Marmara) High-Security Prison Complex, also known as Silivri F-Type Prison, where high-profile political and press-related cases are frequently tried.

Indictment Accepted, Detention Appeal Rejected

Altaylı, known for his outspoken commentary and long career in journalism, faces charges under Article 106 of the Turkish Penal Code related to threatening the President, a crime punishable by a minimum of 5 years in prison.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had submitted the indictment earlier this year, citing specific remarks from Altaylı’s broadcasts. The court has since accepted the indictment, while denying Altaylı’s appeal against pretrial detention.

Key Details of the Trial:

• Date: October 3, 2025

• Location: Marmara Prison Complex, Courtroom No. 2, Silivri

• Charges: Threat against the President (minimum 5-year sentence)

• Current status: In pretrial detention

This will mark the first time Altaylı appears in court in connection with the case.

Broader Context: Journalism and Free Speech Under Scrutiny

The case has sparked renewed debates over press freedom and judicial independence in Turkey. Human rights advocates argue that such cases set a dangerous precedent for criminalizing journalistic speech and criticism under vague legal definitions.

While the government insists the judiciary is acting independently, critics claim that charges like these are often used to silence dissent and intimidate media figures.