Obit

Çetin Altan, 88

 JOURNALIST AND author Çetin Altan died October 22. He was 88.

Altan began his journalism career as a reporter for the Ulus newspaper in 1946. He also wrote columns for several newspapers such as Hürriyet, Sabah and Güneş before becoming a columnist for the daily Milliyet. Being a vocal critic of the opposition, he wrote a number of controversial columns.

Hurriyet Daily News’ obituary  noted that there were some 300 lawsuits filed against him for his writings. He was also detained for 15 days in 1972. (“Veteran Turkish journalist, author Çetin Altan dies at 88,” Oct. 22, 2015)

Apart from his columns, Altan also wrote poems and novels. Among the novels he authored are “The Great Surveillance” (1972) and “Whisky” (1975). He also wrote the play “Criminals” (1965).

Altan was not only a writer as he entered the political scene. In 1965, he was elected as a deputy for the socialist leaning Workers Party of Turkey, according to the Daily Sabah’s obituary (“Turkish journalist Çetin Altan passes away at 99,” Oct. 22, 2015).  It was the reportedly the first socialist party to gain representation in the national parliament.

Turkish press institutions as well as People’s Democratic Party co-chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ expressed their sadness over his death and sent their condolences.

Altan is survived by his sons Ahmet Altan, Mehmet Altan, and Zeynep Balkan.