DW correspondent Alican Uludag re-arrested in Turkey

Alican Uludag, a correspondent for German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, has been re-arrested in Turkey on Tuesday, marking a fresh setback for the journalist who had previously been released under conditional bail. The arrest comes just two months after Uludag was granted temporary freedom following a prolonged period of pretrial detention. According to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, Uludag was detained again over an ongoing investigation related to a post on the platform formerly known as Twitter. The post, which criticized the Turkish judiciary, reportedly led to his re-arrest. Uludag shared a message on social media stating, “I’m being taken into custody,” confirming the news. Deutsche Welle, the organization for which he works, has since verified the arrest and expressed concern over the situation. The journalist was initially detained in February, charged with insults toward President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, dissemination of false information, and making derogatory remarks about state institutions or the Turkish government based on 22 social media posts. In Turkey, criticizing the president or the judiciary can constitute a criminal offense, often leading to lengthy legal proceedings. Uludag maintained his innocence throughout, asserting that his posts were objective reports rather than expressions of personal opinion. His case gained attention due to the broader context of press freedoms in Turkey, a country known for its strict control over media. During his earlier detention, several national and international bodies, including human rights groups and political figures, voiced their support for Uludag’s release. Reporters Without Borders, for instance, stated that he should not have spent even one day in custody due to his journalistic activities. Following his initial release in May, Uludag continued his work, focusing on critical topics such as the judicial system, human rights abuses, and corruption within the country. His reporting, described by Deutsche Welle’s director general Barbara Massing as being in the public interest, has made him a target of authorities. She reiterated her organization’s stance that journalistic activity should not be equated with criminal behavior and emphasized the need for a fair trial grounded in the rule of law. Despite the recent re-arrest, Deutsche Welle has maintained contact with Uludag’s legal team, expressing solidarity with his family and advocating for his rights. The journalist’s case reflects the challenges faced by independent journalists operating in Turkey, where criticism of the government or the judiciary can lead to severe consequences. As the legal process unfolds, the outcome of Uludag’s case will likely draw further scrutiny both domestically and internationally. With the Turkish justice system already under intense examination for its handling of dissent, the re-arrest of a foreign correspondent underscores the risks associated with investigative journalism in the region. The next steps in the case will depend on the legal procedures initiated by the prosecutor’s office and the response from Uludag’s defense team.