Ankara – A correspondent for Germany’s Deutsche Welle (DW) has been detained in Turkey, accused of “insulting the president” and spreading “misleading information.” Alican Uludağ was taken into custody in the capital, Ankara, on Thursday, according to a statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, and is expected to appear before a judge on Friday.
The arrest has sparked immediate concern from DW and international press freedom organizations, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Turkey. The charges against Uludağ reportedly stem from a post made on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) approximately a year and a half ago, in which he criticized the Turkish government’s handling of individuals potentially linked to the Islamic State (IS) and alleged corruption within the government. This incident underscores the sensitive political climate surrounding reporting on national security and government accountability in Turkey.
Barbara Massing, DW’s Director-General, swiftly condemned the arrest, calling the accusations against Uludağ “baseless.” She emphasized his reputation as a respected investigative journalist known for his in-depth reporting on corruption and his extensive network of sources. Massing stated that Uludağ’s work could be perceived as “dangerous” by the government, suggesting the arrest is a deliberate attempt to intimidate and suppress critical journalism. “The fact that a journalist is being taken into custody like a common criminal by 30 police officers and immediately brought to Istanbul is a targeted act of intimidation and shows how massively the government is suppressing press freedom,” Massing said in a statement. “Our colleague must be released immediately.”
Background: A History of Press Freedom Concerns in Turkey
Turkey has a long and troubled history regarding press freedom, consistently ranking low in international indices. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has repeatedly documented the systematic targeting of journalists through arrests, prosecutions, and censorship. According to RSF’s 2023 World Press Freedom Index, Turkey ranks 165th out of 180 countries, categorized as “very subpar.” Reporters Without Borders notes that the legal framework in Turkey is often used to silence dissenting voices, with broadly defined offenses like “insulting the president” frequently employed against journalists and activists.
The arrest of Alican Uludağ is not an isolated incident. In recent years, numerous journalists have faced legal harassment and imprisonment in Turkey. Notably, German journalist Deniz Yücel was detained in Turkey from February 2017 to February 2018, accused of espionage and terrorism propaganda. His case drew significant international attention and strained relations between Germany and Turkey. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has documented dozens of cases of journalists imprisoned in Turkey, many on similar charges of terrorism-related offenses or insulting government officials. The Committee to Protect Journalists provides detailed information on the state of press freedom in Turkey and the challenges faced by journalists working there.
Uludağ’s Work and Focus
Alican Uludağ has been a correspondent for Deutsche Welle for several years, specializing in court reporting and investigations into human rights abuses, corruption, and legal proceedings. His work has brought attention to sensitive issues within Turkey, often challenging the official narrative. DW reports that Uludağ’s reporting has reached a wide audience, making him a prominent voice in independent journalism within the country. He was awarded the Raif Badawi Prize for Courageous Journalism in 2021 for his work, recognizing his commitment to reporting on difficult and often dangerous topics. Deutsche Welle highlighted this award in their reporting on his arrest.
The specific X post that triggered the current charges reportedly criticized the Turkish government’s actions regarding the release of suspected Islamic State fighters. Uludağ accused the government of corruption in connection with these releases, a claim that appears to have prompted the investigation and subsequent arrest. The timing of the arrest is also noteworthy, occurring against a backdrop of regional instability and ongoing concerns about the resurgence of IS in Syria and Iraq.
Regional Context: Syria and the Return of IS Fighters
In January 2026, the Syrian army gained control of territories previously held by Kurdish-led forces in Syria, areas that contained numerous detention camps housing thousands of suspected IS fighters and their families. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has been facilitating the transfer of these prisoners to Iraq, having already moved over 5,700 detainees as of February 20, 2026. Turkiye Today reports on this situation. The US aims to transfer approximately 7,000 prisoners in total and has urged several countries to repatriate their citizens held in these camps. Turkey has not yet publicly stated whether any of the detained suspected jihadists are Turkish citizens or if they will be returned to Turkey.
This situation creates a complex security challenge for Turkey, which borders Syria and has been a target of IS attacks in the past. The Turkish government has expressed concerns about the potential for IS fighters to infiltrate Turkey and carry out attacks. Uludağ’s reporting on this issue, and his accusations of corruption related to the handling of IS fighters, may have contributed to the government’s decision to pursue legal action against him.
International Reaction and Calls for Release
The arrest of Alican Uludağ has drawn condemnation from international organizations and governments. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described the arrest as part of a pattern of judicial harassment against serious journalists in Turkey, suggesting that Uludağ’s research may have angered the authorities. Erol Önderoglu, an RSF representative, stated that Uludağ’s investigations could have “irritated those in power.”
The German government has also expressed concern over the arrest and is reportedly providing consular assistance to Uludağ. The case is likely to further strain relations between Germany and Turkey, which have been tense in recent years over issues such as human rights and political freedoms. The European Union has also called for Uludağ’s immediate release and for Turkey to uphold its commitments to press freedom and the rule of law.
As of Friday, February 20, 2026, Uludağ is being held at the Istanbul Provincial Police Headquarters and is scheduled to appear before a judge. The outcome of the hearing remains uncertain, but the case highlights the precarious situation for journalists in Turkey and the ongoing struggle for press freedom in the country. The next step in the legal process will be the judge’s decision on whether to release Uludağ pending trial or to order his continued detention.
We will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as they become available. Share your thoughts on the importance of press freedom in the comments below, and please share this article to raise awareness about this critical issue.
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