A journalist who tweeted about a Turkish politician's health is facing more than four years behind bars just weeks after the country's favourite stargazer was jailed for her predictions.
Leading reporter Can Atakli has written 'Bahceli was intubated' in a post about speculation over Nationalist Movement Party chairman Devlet Bahceli's medical condition.
Devlet Bahceli speaks in undated footage. Astrologer Hilal Sarac was arrested on the grounds that she insulted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli on social media. Note: Image is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash/NX)
Earlier celebrity astronomer Hilal Sarac had tweeted that Bahceli, a close ally of Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was about to die.
She had predicted that 77-year-old Bahceli, was suffering from an incurable lung disease and his death was about to trigger a political crisis.
Sarac told her 155,000 X followers: "I swear he won't see the election. The election will be early anyway."
Astrologer Hilal Sarac poses in undated photo. She was arrested. Note: Private photo taken from local media. (Newsflash/NX)
She was arrested and jailed for two months for breaching Turkey's controversial public disinformation laws and only released in April after making a grovelling public apology.
Now 68-year-old veteran journalist Atakil is facing similar penalties after prosecutors charged him with spreading false information that could "disrupt public peace".
Bahceli underwent a heart valve operation in February but has since returned to work.
Astrologer Hilal Sarac poses in undated photo. She was arrested. Note: Private photo taken from local media. (Newsflash/NX)
Atakli’s case has reignited debate around freedom of speech in the country, with critics saying political leaders are cracking down on dissent.
The journalist has not yet entered a plea.
(MJ Leidig/newsX)