Turkish prosecutors have issued a detention order for Alican Uludag, a prominent journalist working for the German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle. The man was apprehended in Ankara on charges of publicly disseminating false information and insulting the head of state, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to the defense, the case is related to a publication concerning the return to the country of Turkish citizens linked with the so-called Islamic State.

Detention in Ankara

Journalist Alican Uludag was detained at the request of the Istanbul prosecutor's office in connection with his work for Deutsche Welle.

Criminal Charges

The reporter employed by the German editorial office faces charges of insulting President Erdogan and spreading disinformation in the public sphere.

Publication Context

The investigation concerns an article about Islamic State fighters and their alleged return to Turkey, which authorities claim is false information.

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, security services in Ankara detained Alican Uludag, a correspondent for the Turkish section of Deutsche Welle. The Istanbul prosecutor's office has brought two serious charges against him: insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and spreading disinformation. The journalist was taken to a detention facility, which prompted an immediate reaction from organizations defending freedom of speech. Investigators argue that Uludag's publications misled public opinion and attacked the dignity of the most important person in the state. Since the failed coup attempt in 2016, Turkey has systematically tightened press laws, leading to the imprisonment of dozens of media workers. Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code, concerning insulting the president, has become one of the most frequently used tools in proceedings against opposition journalists.According to information provided by the detainee's lawyer, the direct reason for the law enforcement intervention was an article concerning the repatriation operation of Turkish citizens alleged to be members of the Islamic State. Repatriation of individuals linked with terrorism is an extremely sensitive topic for the government in Ankara. The prosecutor's office claims that the facts presented in the text were inconsistent with reality, which fulfills the criteria of a prohibited act specified in the 2022 amendment to the media law. „An investigation has been initiated regarding the insult of the president and the public dissemination of misleading information, which resulted in the suspect's detention in the capital.” — Prosecutor in IstanbulThe detention of a foreign media employee exacerbates the already tense relations on the Ankara-Berlin line. Deutsche Welle has long faced technological restrictions in Turkey, including the blocking of access to its websites by the Turkish regulatory body RTÜK. Experts predict that the Uludag case will be another point of contention in the dialogue about democratic standards in countries aspiring to join the European Union. 2 — charges brought against the journalist by the prosecutor's office Alican Uludag is currently awaiting a court decision regarding possible pre-trial detention. The defense announces taking all legal steps to secure the journalist's release, arguing that his actions fell within the bounds of reliable investigative journalism. International bodies, including Reporters Without Borders, are closely monitoring the course of proceedings in Turkey.

Mentioned People

  • Alican Uludag — Journalist for the Turkish section of Deutsche Welle detained in Ankara on charges of disinformation.
  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan — President of Turkey, allegedly insulted by the detained journalist.