Turkish prosecutors have opened a second criminal investigation into veteran journalist Fatih Altaylı, who is already in pre-trial detention on separate charges over comments interpreted as threatening President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The new case, announced by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, accuses Altaylı of “publicly disseminating misleading information” under Article 217/A of the Penal Code — an offence carrying up to three years in prison. It stems from a 5 August episode of his YouTube show Fatih Altaylı Yorumlayamıyor (“Fatih Altaylı Can’t Comment”), in which former MP Emin Şirin was a guest. Prosecutors say the content contained “false information capable of creating fear, panic or unrest” and was “likely to disturb public order.” The authorities have not yet specified what particular statements in that broadcast were considered misleading or false.

On the same day the video aired, the anti-terror crimes bureau asked a court to block both the broadcast and the channel itself, citing risks to “national security and public order.” The Istanbul 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace approved the request and — without prosecution’s explicit demand — also ordered the........

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