Fatih Altaylı, who is under investigation: I am being attacked by FETÖ members and Pelikanists within the AKP

An investigation has been launched against Fatih Altaylı for "praising a crime and a criminal" and "publicly inciting a segment of the public to hatred and hostility and insulting them" after he posted "Well done" on his social media account following the punching of İsmail Aydemir for carrying a tawhid flag during the 'Mercy to the martyrs, support for Palestine, curse on Israel' march organized by foundations and associations close to the government.

Altaylı spoke to Sözcü columnist İsmail Saymaz about the events.

'FETÖ MEMBERS IN THE AK PARTY ARE GOING TO MAKE A MOVE AGAINST YOU'

Explaining that an AKP acquaintance told him about 10 days ago that "The FETÖ members in the party are going to make a move against you," Altaylı said the following;

"About 10 days ago, someone from within the AK Party called and said, 'FETÖ members are still inside and they are going to make a move against you.' I asked, 'Do they have such power?' They said, 'Yes, they are reorganizing in the party.' It is typical Fetullah work, very clear. It is the work of the old Fetullahist cadres. Pelikan and Fetullah are hand in hand. There is not much difference between them anyway. It is their handiwork."

'THERE IS NOTHING TO BLOW OUT OF PROPORTION'

Stating that he expected this and that the accusations were absurd, Altaylı used the expression, "I don't understand why all hell is breaking loose here. I give a statement once a week on various occasions. It is normal. There is nothing to blow out of proportion."

When asked by Saymaz, "Do these have an effect on the reaction shown?" while noting that Altaylı has achieved success on YouTube in a short time and that his critical content has made a significant impact, he gave the following response:

"Most likely because of this. They thought I wouldn't be around after leaving CİNER. It happens when what a person says has a response in society. I am acting as a journalist should act in a civilized country where the rule of law applies.

I continue to do journalism and commentary without thinking about whether there is a repressive regime in Turkey. To be honest, it is not the government that is uncomfortable with this, but the trolls and those who have had a score to settle with me for a long time."

The questions subsequently posed by Saymaz and Altaylı's responses to them were as follows:

- Do you have any concerns?

What concerns would I have? I have been living with a security detail for 30 years. The state assigned me protection in 1994, and it will be with me until I pass away. Is journalism in Turkey difficult today, but was it easy yesterday?

- With what intent and purpose did you post the tweet?

My advertiser friend was with me at that moment. I said, 'I am going to post a tweet. I am going to get cursed at by both sides at once.' And I posted it. My friend asked, 'Who are you referring to?' I said, 'Whoever understands it as whoever. You just watch the debate now.' Because I know, everyone will create their own perception from their own perspective. I posted it for testing purposes. I wrote this 3-4 hours later. I said, 'I did a test, we got the result.' My intention was to see and show the division in society. Have I not praised a crime or a criminal all these years, and am I going to do it now?

'I DID NOT EXPECT IT, I WAS VERY SURPRISED'

Expressing that after posting the tweet, he saw that everyone was looking for an opportunity to attack each other, Fatih Altaylı said, "There is a tremendous division. Two, people who have sworn on the constitution in Turkey have almost reached the point of defending an uprising against the constitutional order. I did not expect this. I was expecting the division. I was just curious to see at what speed and how it would happen. But I did not expect that people who have sworn to protect the constitutional order would defend an uprising against the constitutional order; I was very surprised."

Altaylı will give his statement at the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in the coming days.

News Source: 12punto