Two years in jail sought for Turkish journalist Altaylı for 'praising crime and criminals'

Turkish prosecutors have sought up to two-year prison sentence for journalist Fatih Altaylı for allegedly praising a university student who punched a man carrying the "Tawheed" (Tevhid) flag.

Thursday February 08 2024 11:40 am

Duvar English

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has prepared an indictment against renowned journalist Fatih Altaylı, demanding him get a prison sentence of up to two years for “praising crime and criminals.”

Accepting the indictment, the 21st Criminal Court of First Instance lifted judicial control measures imposed on Altaylı in January, Demirören News Agency reported Feb. 7.

Altaylı is facing charges for allegedly praising university student Ege Akersoy who punched a man with the “Tavheed” flag, often associated with jihadists, who was returning from the Free Palestine march on Jan. 1.

After the incident went viral and stirred a huge discussion on social media, Altaylı wrote “thank you” in a social media post without mentioning or retweeting any other information.

In a YouTube video he said “I said one thing, ‘Thank you’ without referring to any subject. (I might praise) the ones who catch the puncher or the puncher. It could be anyone. Who's going to understand what?.”