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A Turkish court blocked access to Fatih Altayli's YouTube channel and set his trial date for Oct. 3 on charges of threatening President Recep Tayyip Erdogan through video content.
Altayli was arrested June 21 on charges of "threatening the president" for comments he made targeting Erdogan on his YouTube channel. Istanbul 6th Criminal Court of Peace ordered the channel blocked and content removed following a request from Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Istanbul 26th Heavy Penal Court accepted the indictment against Altayli, which seeks a prison sentence of no less than 5 years for "threatening the president."
The court decision stated that Altayli will remain in custody and the trial will be held Oct. 3 at courtrooms opposite Marmara Prison Complex.
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According to the indictment prepared by Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, President Erdogan appears as the "complainant" in the case.
The investigation began following Altayli's June 20 broadcast on his YouTube channel. The indictment states that video analysis determined Altayli's actions should be evaluated as threatening the president.
The indictment noted that President Erdogan's lawyer filed a complaint on June 23 after becoming aware of the incident.
According to the indictment, Altayli responded to a question about President Erdogan by referencing "so-called historical examples of people killing and strangling sultans they disliked," and "tried to reinforce his so-called example with subsequent words."
The indictment emphasized that the video was "broadcast openly to everyone through press and media," reached "large audiences" after content sharing, and was clearly carried out with "intent to communicate."
The indictment states that Altayli committed the crime of threatening by "mentioning an attack on the president's life."
The prosecution seeks a prison sentence of no less than 5 years for Altayli on charges of "threatening the president."
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