Prominent Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı was arrested Sunday (June 22nd) over comments made in a video posted on his YouTube channel in which he allegedly threatened Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Altaylı’s arrest followed the June 19th arrest of Mehmet Pehlivan, lawyer of imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

In the video in question, Altaylı was faced with a question regarding the unpopularity among the Turkish public of the idea that President Erdoğan remain in office for life. Altaylı responded saying:

“Outside of the AKP [Justice & Development Party] and MHP [Nationalist Action Party] bases, no one would consent to the idea of him remaining in office for life. If we look at both the history of this nation, this is a nation that strangled their own sultan when they were dissatisfied with his performance. Numerous sultans exited office by being assassinated, having their throats cut, or committing suicide.”

In a statement made following his detention, Altaylı admitted to having made these remarks but defended himself saying his intention was only to reference Turkish history,........

© Medyascope