Alican Ulunthag, a correspondent for Deutsche Welle (DW) in Turkey, was arrested by Turkish authorities while in the presence of his family in Ankara. He is facing serious charges, including allegations of disseminating misleading information to the public, as well as insults towards the President and the Turkish state. This incident underscores the ongoing tensions in Turkey regarding freedom of the press and expression, especially in relation to government criticism.

The arrest took place on a Thursday, and according to DW, Ulunthag was taken to the headquarters of the Istanbul Police for questioning. He had reportedly been critical of measures taken by the Turkish government over a year prior, which he suggested led to the release of potential ISIS terrorists. The Turkish authorities have been increasingly scrutinizing media outlets and journalists who express dissent or criticize government actions, which raises concerns about press freedom in the country.

DW's director-general, Barbara Maissing, expressed that the charges against Ulunthag were baseless and called for his immediate release. This incident highlights the growing challenges faced by journalists in Turkey, particularly those working for foreign news organizations, as they navigate the restrictive environment imposed by the government. The international community is likely to follow this case closely, as it sheds light on broader issues concerning human rights and freedom of expression in Turkey.