Fatih Altaylı on 'Tolga Şardan': The message is for Timur Soykan, Murat Ağırel, İsmail Saymaz, and Çiğdem Toker!

T24 columnist and journalist Tolga Şardan was arrested on November 1 as part of an investigation launched following his article titled 'What is in the "judiciary report" submitted by the MIT to the Presidency?'

Journalist Fatih Altaylı evaluated Şardan's detention. Stating, "In my opinion, whatever Tolga Şardan writes is true," Altaylı made the following comment:

"I thought the news originated from the Palace and was leaked to document the President's discomfort regarding the justice issue, which has caused serious unrest in society, and to prevent problems in the judiciary from casting a shadow over the Presidency. Frankly, the existence of such a report could have been seen as a promising development.

"A MESSAGE TO REAL REPORTERS"

However, Şardan was arrested on the allegation that this news was untrue and on the charge of 'publicly disseminating false information.' The arrest of Tolga Şardan is actually an intimidation tactic against journalists. 'Do not report, do not bring trouble upon yourselves.' It is a message to the dwindling number of real journalists, to genuine reporters. The message is for Timur Soykan, for Murat Ağırel, for İsmail Saymaz, for Çiğdem Toker, and for anyone who is still trying to practice journalism.

"I WILL CONTINUE TO TRUST HIM"

The grave part of this for the government is that it reveals they have reached a point where they can no longer even distinguish what is in their favor and what is against them. For some reason, they have managed to turn a piece of news that was in the President's favor into a development against the President. If they did it unknowingly, it is 'stupidity.' If they did it knowingly, it is 'treachery.' For my part, I will continue to trust Tolga Şardan's journalism. As for who is actually publicly disseminating false information, time will show that best, not political power or the politicized judiciary..."