Turkish Journalist Detained Over Social Media Posts Critical of President Erdogan

A Turkish court has ordered the arrest of journalist Alijan Uludag on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a move that has drawn swift international condemnation.

Uludag was detained in Ankara and transferred to Istanbul, where police searched his home before he was brought before a judge. The court approved the prosecutor's request for his pre-trial detention.

The criminal case stems from the journalist's posts on the social media platform X. During the hearing, Uludag rejected all accusations, stating his posts constituted legitimate criticism.

If there is a price to pay for journalism, I am ready to pay it,

he was quoted as saying.

He noted that neither the president nor his lawyers had previously filed a complaint against him, suggesting the case was initiated to remove him from the capital.

If you get sent to prison for criticizing the president, then what is the Constitution for?

he added.

Media reports suggest the investigation may also be linked to Uludag's coverage of a ruling by Turkey's Court of Cassation concerning the 2016 terrorist attack at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. He reported on the court's decision to overturn parts of the verdicts, leading to the release of six out of seven convicts in December 2024.

The arrest has prompted demands for Uludag's immediate release from national and international press freedom groups, including the European Federation of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders. The German government has also called for the release of the Deutsche Welle Turkish service correspondent, labeling the charges unfounded.