Ahmet Altan Taken into Custody Again

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Former Editor-in-Chief of the Taraf daily, Ahmet Altan, was taken into custody last (September 22) night. Altan had already been detained as a part of the investigation into the media network of the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization / Parallel State Organization (FETÖ/PDY) and later released.

The Public Chief Prosecutor in charge objected to Altan’s release. 1st Criminal Judgeship of Peace ruling on the objection has ordered that Altan be detained again.

What happened?

Journalist and writer Ahmet Altan and his brother Prof. Dr. Mehmet Altan were detained for the words they used on the program "Özgür Düşünce," which was broadcast on Can Erzincan TV on July 14. They were charged for giving “subliminal coup messages”.

The 10th Criminal Judgeship of Peace on duty has ruled to arrest Prof. Dr. Mehmet Altan for the crimes of “attempting to overthrow the Government of the Republic of Turkey or to prevent it from performing its duties” and “being a member of a terrorist organization”.  

With regards to Ahmet Altan, the judgeship has ruled that he could be released on probation provided that he appear weekly before the security unit closest to his house and be banned from leaving the country. Yet the Public Chief Prosecutor in charge objected to Ahmet Altan being released and he was taken into custody again. (NV/DG)