'Erdoğan is dead' report leads to judicial control for 4 journalists in Turkey

Four journalists in Turkey have been released under judicial control following their detention for publishing a false report about President Erdoğan's death. The local newspaper Aydın Denge Gazetesi shared a graphic on its Facebook account featuring the phrase "Erdoğan is dead" on a black background.

This post triggered an investigation by the Aydın Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The journalists are being investigated under Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code, which addresses the crime of "publicly disseminating misleading information."

The newspaper's representative Emin Aydın, Editor-in-Chief Yeşim Ülker, and reporters İslam Keleş and İrem Delice were taken into custody by law enforcement. After completing their procedures at the police station, they were brought to the Aydın Courthouse.

A judicial control judge subsequently ordered their release under judicial control measures, meaning they must adhere to certain conditions set by the court while the investigation continues.