4 years and 2 months in prison for Fatih Altaylı: 'This verdict is a warning to everyone'

The Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court held the second hearing of the case against Fatih Altaylı in courtroom No. 2 at the Marmara Prison complex in Silivri. Altaylı's wife Hande Altaylı, Prof. Dr. Celal Şengör, Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, journalist Murat Bardakçı, members of parliament, and numerous observers attended the hearing.

PROSECUTION REQUESTED A SENTENCE OF NO LESS THAN 5 YEARS

The prosecutor reiterated the opinion presented in the previous session, arguing that the expressions Altaylı used in his YouTube broadcast constituted the crime of "threatening the President" and demanded a prison sentence of at least 5 years.

ALTAYLI DENIED THE ACCUSATION

The court gave Altaylı the floor to present his defense. Altaylı stated that there were no changes to the President's security arrangements following his broadcast.

He noted that he was making an assessment based on historical examples and emphasized that there was no intent to threaten.

"I know it is impossible for the President to have been alarmed by these words," he said.

COURT HANDED DOWN A 4-YEAR, 2-MONTH PRISON SENTENCE

After a recess, the court panel sentenced Altaylı to 4 years and 2 months in prison.

The panel ruled for the continuation of his detention, citing the "risk of flight" as the reason.

When the verdict was announced, Altaylı threw the papers he was holding into the air.

Observers in the courtroom reacted by booing the decision.

REACTION TO MURAT BARDAKÇI

A former schoolmate of Altaylı from Galatasaray High School turned to Murat Bardakçı after the verdict and reacted by saying,

"We were striving for an Ataturkist Turkey, your side has won."

STERN STATEMENT FROM LAWYER ERİNÇ SAĞKAN

TBB President and Altaylı's lawyer, Erinç Sağkan, appeared before the cameras following the verdict. He stated that the decision serves as a "warning to the press." He noted that the court had categorized Altaylı's words under the scope of a "physical attack." He expressed that the claim of a flight risk lacked any legal basis. "This verdict is a warning issued to the entire press," he said.

News Source: 12punto