In a move that has reignited international concerns over media suppression, Turkish police detained Alican Uludağ, an investigative correspondent for Deutsche Welle (DW), on February 19, 2026. Uludağ is a high-profile judicial reporter known for his work on corruption and human rights.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Details of the Detention
- The Raid: Approximately 30 police officers arrived at Uludağ’s Ankara residence, conducting a search and seizing his digital equipment before taking him into custody.
- The Legal Basis: The arrest centers on a social media post from 2024. In the post, Uludağ reportedly criticized the Turkish judiciary for rulings that allowed suspected ISIS militants to go free.
- Specific Allegations: The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office has leveled three primary charges:
- Insulting the President.
- Insulting the Turkish state and its institutions.
- Spreading “misleading information” (under Turkey’s controversial 2022 disinformation law).
Why It Matters
Uludağ is not just any reporter; he is a recipient of the Raif Badawi Award for Courageous Journalism. His detention is being viewed by many as a calculated message to independent media.
“This is a deliberate act of intimidation. Alican’s reporting is vital because he has the courage to look where others won’t.”
— Barbara Massing, DW Director General
Global and Domestic Response
| Entity | Stance |
| Deutsche Welle | Demanded immediate release; labeled the charges “baseless.” |
| Reporters Without Borders | Cited the arrest as a clear example of “judicial harassment.” |
| Local Press Unions | Pointed to a deteriorating climate for journalists in Turkey, where dozens of media workers face similar legal battles. |
