Skip to main content

Is release of two prominent journalists a sign of normalization?

The release of two well-known journalists from prison shouldn’t lead anyone to believe and hope that Turkey is becoming less autocratic.
Journalist Nazli Ilicak, previously sentenced to life imprisonment for aiding the network of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Ankara of orchestrating a coup attempt in 2016, is embraced by her relatives after being released from a prison in Istanbul, Turkey, November 4, 2019. REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir - RC11B929AC90

Nazli Ilicak was in jail for 1,197 days and Ahmet Altan for 1,138 days before both were released the night of Nov. 4. Their release caused some relief among watchers of Turkey’s autocratic practices and nourished hopes that a normalcy of sorts could return to the country.

However, many have their doubts about any real reconciliation in Turkey and were trying to figure out whether the release of the two journalists might conceal some other sinister aims of Turkey’s increasingly autocratic regime.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.