Journalist Ali Tarakcı was arrested on the allegation of 'misleading information to the public'

Journalist Ali Tarakcı, who was detained within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, was arrested by the court. So, why was Ali Tarakcı arrested?

WHO IS JOURNALIST ALI TARAKCI?

Ali Tarakcı is a journalist, writer and television programmer who has devoted many years to the media. He was born in Sinop in 1964. Tarakcı, who spent most of his childhood and youth in Istanbul, completed his primary, secondary and high school education in Istanbul Sefaköy-Küçükçekmece region. He completed his higher education at Eskişehir Anadolu University, Faculty of Business Administration.

He wrote columns in different local and national newspapers for more than 25 years in the media industry. Tarakcı, who also plays an active role on television screens; He prepared and presented political discussion programs on channels such as Gerçek TV, Karadeniz TV and Akit TV. He became known especially to television viewers with the programs "Under the Lens" and "Sesli Thoughts". He also published a book called "Loud Thoughts", which was published in 1996.

Ali Tarakcı, who also has a political background, served as a district and provincial administrator within the New Democracy Movement (YDH) for a while. He later continued his political life in the ranks of the Peace Party. In 1998, he served as a member of the Central Executive Board (MYK) and Deputy Chairman of this party. Since 1999, he left active politics completely and directed all his energy to media work.

IS ALI TARAKCI MARRIED?

The experienced journalist, who is married to Gülşah Tarakcı, has four sons.

WHY WAS ALI TARAKCI ARRESTED?

The legal process against journalist Ali Tarakcı started with a post he made on the X platform. On September 23, 2026, Tarakcı shared backstage information from his personal social media account saying, "A very important minister will resign on Friday."

After this post reached a wide audience, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Press Crimes Investigation Bureau quickly took action and launched an investigation into the allegations. Tarakcı, who was detained on September 26, 2026 within the scope of the investigation, completed his statement at the police station. The journalist, who was then referred to the courthouse, was arrested by the decision of the Ankara 8th Criminal Judgeship of Peace. The court cited the crime of "publicly disseminating misleading information to the public" in Article 217/A-1 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) as the reason for the arrest. Tarakcı was sent to prison immediately after the decision.

WHAT IS TCK ARTICLE 217/A-1?

This article, also known publicly as the "Disinformation Law", is a legal sanction imposed on people who publicly disseminate false information regarding the country's internal and external security, public order and general health, just to create anxiety, fear or panic among the public. Ali Tarakcı was also accused of violating this article and was sent to prison.