Outrage as veteran Turkish journalist Ahmet Altan re-arrested

IPI condemns appalling decision to revoke journalist’s release order The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today expressed outrage at the re-arrest of prominent Turkish journalist and novelist Ahmet Altan just days after his release from prison. Altan, a veteran journalist and former editor-in-chief […]

Outrage as veteran Turkish journalist Ahmet Altan re-arrested

Journalist and writer Ahmet Altan (centre) waves to his daughter Senem Altan (right) as he is detained on November 12, 2019, at Kadikoy neighbourhood in Istanbul.

  • IPI condemns appalling decision to revoke journalist’s release order

The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today expressed outrage at the re-arrest of prominent Turkish journalist and novelist Ahmet Altan just days after his release from prison.

Altan, a veteran journalist and former editor-in-chief of the now-closed Taraf newspaper, had been freed from prison pending appeal on November 4 after spending more than three years in pre-trial detention on groundless terrorism charges.

But on Monday, November 12, he was again detained by police at his home in Istanbul after a court revoked his release following a request by prosecutors over fears that Altan might flee the country, despite the fact that he is subject to a travel ban. (IPI)