Journalist Hüsnü Mahalli detained for ‘insulting state officials’

ISTANBUL

Journalist Hüsnü Mahalli was detained on Dec. 13 for allegedly insulting state officials on Twitter, as a part of an investigation carried out by the Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s office, Doğan News Agency has reported.

Police detained Mahalli at his home in the evening hours and took him to police headquarters. Digital equipment at his home was also seized for investigation.

Formal proceedings at the police headquarters are reportedly ongoing.

Recently, Mahalli was the subject of a debate on pro-government broadcaster A Haber following his remarks on a regime offensive in Syria’s Aleppo, with presenter Erkan Tan saying he is a “traitor.” Mahalli had criticized the Turkish media’s stance in reporting Aleppo, pointing to its indifference to events in Yemen or Libya.

Born in Syria’s Jarabulus in 1949, Mahalli studied journalism at Istanbul University, before working for international broadcasters such as the BBC, NBC, and media outlets in a number of Arab countries.