The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today expressed outrage at the re-arrest of prominent Turkish journalist and novelist Ahmet Altan just days after his release from prison.

Altan, a veteran journalist and former editor-in-chief of the now-closed Taraf newspaper, had been freed from prison pending appeal on November 4 after spending more than three years in pre-trial detention on groundless terrorism charges.

But on Monday, November 12, he was again detained by police at his home in Istanbul after a court revoked his release following a request by prosecutors over fears that Altan might flee the country, despite the fact that he is subject to a travel ban.