Turkey arrests journalist İrem Delice under

Turkish authorities arrested journalist İrem Delice on August 29, 2026, on suspicion of spreading disinformation. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) demanded her immediate release and the repeal of the law used to charge her, stating it criminalizes journalism.

Delice and three colleagues from the Aydın Denge news outlet were taken into police custody on August 26. This followed their publication of a report on the death of a local woman named Gülşen Erdoğan under the headline "Erdoğan passed away." Authorities launched an investigation against publisher Emin Aydın, responsible news editor Yeşim Ülker, and reporters İslam Keleş and Delice for publicly spreading disinformation, citing the deceased's shared surname with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

A court released the four pending investigation under judicial control the same day. However, the prosecution appealed. Delice, who wrote the story, was subsequently imprisoned.

CPJ condemns arrest and law

CPJ's Turkey representative, Özgür Öğret, condemned the arrest. "Once again authorities have used Turkey’s disinformation law to deprive a journalist of her freedom," Öğret said. He argued that even if mistakes were made, imprisonment was unjustified. Representatives of Aydın Denge stated the death report was routine with no intention of clickbait.

In a column, publisher Emin Aydın denied any criminal intent. "In the post in question, we absolutely had no intention of targeting the President... or creating any implication that could constitute a crime," he wrote. He acknowledged headlines could be misunderstood and said the outlet would review its processes, but maintained intent could not be fabricated from an editorial choice.

The disinformation law's scope and use

The charge stems from Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code, a disinformation law enacted in 2022. It mandates prison sentences of up to three years for spreading false information about security, public order, and general health that causes public concern, fear, or panic.

Since the law came into force, news reports indicate at least 83 journalists have been charged 114 times under its provisions. In April 2026, CPJ joined 22 press freedom and human rights organizations in condemning Turkey's frequent use of the law to prosecute and imprison journalists. The coalition urged authorities to release all journalists imprisoned under it and to repeal the legislation.

Uncertain legal outcome

CPJ reported it could not confirm whether the investigation would lead to a trial for Delice and her colleagues. The organization emailed the Aydın Chief Public Prosecutor's office for comment but received no reply. The case highlights ongoing tensions between press freedom and state authority in Turkey.