Journalists Nazlı Ilıcak and Ahmet Altan Receive Prison Sentences

Journalists Nazlı Ilıcak and Ahmet Altan have been handed prison sentences for "aiding an armed terrorist organization." The Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court, on March 12, 2026, sentenced Ilıcak to 3 years and 9 months, while Altan received a 4-year and 6-month sentence. This latest ruling follows two previous reversals by Turkey's Supreme Court of Appeals.

Both Altan and Ilıcak were initially given aggravated life sentences in 2018, accused of "attempting to overthrow the constitutional order." However, the Supreme Court of Appeals overturned this decision, stipulating that the charges should be re-evaluated as "aiding an organization."

Following this, in 2019, Altan was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months, and Ilıcak to 8 years and 9 months. They were subsequently released from prison. The Supreme Court of Appeals' 16th Criminal Chamber then overturned these sentences a second time, deeming the applied sentence reductions insufficient. The recent court decision is the outcome of the retrial initiated after these Supreme Court of Appeals' reversals.