Sputnik Radio Journalist Ali Cagatay Arrested in Türkiye Over X Post
16:54 29.06.2026 (Updated: 18:04 29.06.2026)
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The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into Ali Cagatay, host of Sputnik radio's morning program, over a post on his personal X account.
Cagatay commented on the high-profile case of the abduction of Erhan Karaal, deputy head of İBB Kültür, a company that provides cultural and tourism services to the Istanbul Municipality.
Karaal was taken outside his home on June 17. According to reports, the kidnappers demanded between 300 and 500 kilograms of gold. He was freed 33 hours later in a police raid.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation into Cagatay over posts allegedly containing statements "against law enforcement agencies." A court subsequently ordered the journalist's arrest, and he is currently being held in custody.
Ali Cagatay, whose real name is Ali Çağaptay, is a well-known Turkish journalist who has hosted a daily program on Sputnik radio since 2020.
He was previously head of news at newspapers Hürriyet and Radikal and television channel Habertürk.
The Sputnik radio newsroom in Istanbul has received numerous messages of support for Cagatay, while listeners of his program demand his swift release.
Cagatay commented on the high-profile case of the abduction of Erhan Karaal, deputy head of İBB Kültür, a company that provides cultural and tourism services to the Istanbul Municipality.
Karaal was taken outside his home on June 17. According to reports, the kidnappers demanded between 300 and 500 kilograms of gold. He was freed 33 hours later in a police raid.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation into Cagatay over posts allegedly containing statements "against law enforcement agencies." A court subsequently ordered the journalist's arrest, and he is currently being held in custody.
Ali Cagatay, whose real name is Ali Çağaptay, is a well-known Turkish journalist who has hosted a daily program on Sputnik radio since 2020.
He was previously head of news at newspapers Hürriyet and Radikal and television channel Habertürk.
The Sputnik radio newsroom in Istanbul has received numerous messages of support for Cagatay, while listeners of his program demand his swift release.
