Mansur Yavaş reacts to Fatih Altaylı's arrest
Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş has reacted to the arrest of journalist Fatih Altaylı. Emphasizing that the arrest decision lacks a legal basis, Yavaş called for Altaylı's immediate release.
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Journalist Fatih Altaylı has been arrested on charges of "threatening the President" due to a broadcast he made on his YouTube channel. The first reaction to Altaylı's arrest came from Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş.
Stating that Altaylı's arrest is unlawful, Yavaş made the following remarks:
Arrest on the grounds of an alleged speech crime can only be applied if there is a suspicion of flight, a possibility of destroying evidence, or a danger of committing a new crime. However, there is neither an element of crime nor a situation that would necessitate an arrest.
Arrest is an exceptional measure, not a punishment. Article 26 of our Constitution and ECHR case law clearly protect freedom of expression.
The law must operate according to universal norms, not according to thoughts, individuals, or the government.
This mistake must be corrected immediately, and Fatih Altaylı must be released.