Brussels, November 27, 2025 – The Association of European Journalists strongly condemns the four-year prison sentence handed down to prominent Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı by Turkey’s Supreme Criminal Court on November 26, 2025. This verdict represents a grave assault on press freedom and an alarming escalation in the systematic silencing of critical voices in Turkey.
A Politically Motivated Verdict
Fatih Altaylı, a well-known columnist and YouTuber with over 1.6 million subscribers and more than 300 million total views, was sentenced to four years and two months in prison for comments made during a live YouTube broadcast. Turkish authorities characterized these remarks as a “threat” against President Erdoğan. However, legal experts have emphasized that the statement in question does not constitute legitimate grounds for arrest or long-term imprisonment.
Altaylı was arrested on June 21, 2025, shortly after an excerpt from his broadcast went viral. His videos regularly reach audiences of millions – with one recent video recording over 5.2 million views – demonstrating his significant role as an independent voice in Turkish media.
An Attack on Independent Media
Despite Altaylı’s imprisonment, his YouTube channel has continued to operate, hosting opposition journalists and maintaining its commitment to independent journalism. This underscores the vital importance of free media in democratic debate – precisely what this sentence aims to suppress.
The AEJ views this verdict as part of a disturbing pattern of judicial persecution against journalists in Turkey. The sentencing raises serious concerns about the independence of Turkish legal institutions, which appear to be serving political interests rather than upholding the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
AEJ’s Position
The Association of European Journalists calls for:
- Immediate release of Fatih Altaylı and dismissal of all charges against him
- Protection of journalists’ right to criticize public officials and government policies without fear of imprisonment
- International attention to the deteriorating state of press freedom in Turkey
- Accountability for judicial authorities that weaponize the legal system against independent journalism
Press freedom is a cornerstone of democracy. When journalists face years in prison for political commentary, democracy itself is under attack. The international community cannot remain silent while Turkey continues to imprison journalists for exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression.
The AEJ stands in solidarity with Fatih Altaylı and all journalists in Turkey who continue to work under increasingly repressive conditions.
