Mehmet Altan Arrested, Ahmet Altan Released

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Former Taraf daily newspaper Editor-in-Chief Ahmet Altan, who was detained as part of the “investigation launched into media leg of the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ)” since September 10, has been released whereas his brother, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Altan arrested.

Mehmet Altan and Ahmet Altan were brough to İstanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan after their procedures were completed.

Referred to court for arrest following the prosecution questionings, journalist-writer Ahmet Altan was released as Mehmet Altan arrested.

İstanbul 10th Criminal Judgeship of Peace on Duty ruled arrest of Mehmet Altan on charges of “Attempting to annihilate the Republic of Turkey or trying to prevent it from doing its duty and being a member of a terror organization”.

The court ruled release of Ahmet Altan on probation.

What had happened?

Attorney Veysel Ok representing them had said the reason for the detention was the words they used on the program "Özgür Düşünce" broadcasted on Can Erzincan TV on July 14.

It was alleged that Ahmet Altan and Mehmet Altan used phrases with Nazlı Ilıcak, who has been arrested as part of the "FETÖ (Fethullahist Terror Organization) investigation" giving the impression that they already knew about the coup.

About Ahmet Altan

Ahmet Hüsrev Altan (born 1950) is a Turkish journalist and author. A working journalist for more than twenty years, he has served in all stages of the profession, from being a night shift reporter to editor in chief in various newspapers.

In addition to having written columns in several Turkish newspapers, including Hürriyet, Milliyet and Radikal, Altan has produced news programming for television.
He was fired from Milliyet after writing a column on 17 April 1995 titled "Atakurd", which presented an alternate history of Turkey.

In 2007 he became the founding editor in chief and lead columnist of Taraf, a daily Turkish newspaper, and remained in the position until his resignation in December 2012.
In September 2008 when Altan published an article titled "Oh, My Brother" dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, he was charged under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code for "denigrating Turkishness". The judicial claim was initiated by the far-right "Great Union Party."

On December 14, 2012, Ahmet Altan, who was founding editor-in-chief of the daily Taraf since 2007, resigned from his post.

About Mehmet Altan

Mehmet Hasan Altan (born 11 January 1953) is a Turkish academic economist, journalist, and author of over 25 books. Describing himself as a "Marxist-liberal", he is the originator of the term "Second Republic", arguing that Turkey needs to reconstitute its republic as a true democracy.

He is a strong supporter of the Accession of Turkey to the European Union.

Altan has worked at the Istanbul University Faculty of Economics since 1986, first as assistant professor, then associate professor (1987) and full professor (1993).

From 1987 to November 2006 he contributed to Sabah, before moving to Star, becoming editor-in-chief. He left Star in January 2012. (NV/ÇT/TK)