Swedish Journalist Arrested in Turkey Amid Unrest Over Erdogan Rival's Arrest

1 day ago 14

March 31, 2025 | 04:01 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A Swedish journalist, detained upon arrival in Turkey while covering protests against Istanbul's mayor's imprisonment, has been arrested on charges of terrorism and insulting the president, the Turkish presidential office confirmed on Sunday.

Joakim Medin, who works for the newspaper Dagens ETC, "has been arrested on charges of 'membership in an armed terrorist organization' and 'insulting the president'," the presidency said in a bulletin as reported by Al Arabiya.

Medin was detained on Thursday when his plane landed in Turkey, said Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard on social media.

In a bulletin published by the 'Disinformation Fight Center', the Turkish presidency said the journalist is "known for anti-Turkish news and his proximity to the banned Kurdish militant organization PKK."

“This arrest decision has no connection whatsoever to journalistic activities,” it added.

Medin's imprisonment occurred just hours after authorities released the last of 11 detained journalists. They were arrested in dawn raids on Monday for covering protests, including AFP photographer Yasin Akgul.

Turkish authorities have also deported BBC journalist Mark Lowen, who had been covering the protests, after holding him for 17 hours on Wednesday. They said Lowen posed a "threat to public order."

In a statement on Thursday, the Turkish communications directorate said Lowen was deported "due to lack of accreditation."

As reported by Euronews, Istanbul's mayor and presidential candidate from the Republican People's Party (CHP), Ekrem Imamoglu, is being held in Istanbul's Marmara Prison. He was arrested on March 19 on charges of corruption and links to terrorist organizations, and was imprisoned a few days later.

The arrest of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's strongest political rival has triggered widespread protests in Istanbul and across Turkey, marking the most significant social unrest in over a decade.  

Police have used pepper spray, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse demonstrators.  

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that nearly 1,900 people have been arrested since March 19.  

As a key challenger to Erdogan's 22-year rule, the Istanbul mayor's detention is widely viewed as politically motivated. However, the Turkish government maintains that the judiciary operates independently and without political interference.

Editor's Choice: Nine Turkish Journalists Detained While Covering Arrest of Erdogan's Rival

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News



Turkey Detains 1,900 Protesters Over Jailed Erdogan's Rival

3 hari lalu

Turkey Detains 1,900 Protesters Over Jailed Erdogan's Rival

Turkish authorities have arrested 1,900 people who participated in a demonstration in support of the mayor of Istanbul, who is a strong rival of Erdogan.


Remembering Juwita: A Sharp, Brilliant Journalist, Allegedly Killed by a Navy Officer

4 hari lalu

Remembering Juwita: A Sharp, Brilliant Journalist, Allegedly Killed by a Navy Officer

Juwita, a female journalist from newsway.co.id, a local online media in the city of Banjarbaru, was killed by a Navy member with the initial 'J'.


Indonesian Navy Member Suspected of Murdering Female Journalist in Banjarbaru

4 hari lalu

Indonesian Navy Member Suspected of Murdering Female Journalist in Banjarbaru

The Commander of the Military Police Detachment at the Balikpapan Navy Base ensures that there is no attempt to cover up the alleged murder case involving a member of the Indonesian Navy.


Attacks Against Tempo: Questioning Journalist Safety in Indonesia

5 hari lalu

Attacks Against Tempo: Questioning Journalist Safety in Indonesia

What legal protections exist for journalists facing terror, such as the threats Tempo experienced with the pig's head and decapitated rat carcasses?


Pig's Head Terror Against Journalists Also Occured in Russia in 2022

6 hari lalu

Pig's Head Terror Against Journalists Also Occured in Russia in 2022

Pig's head terror also happened to a Russian journalist, Alexei Venediktov. This is the story.


Protest Against TNI Law in Malang Turns Violent, 8 Student Journalists Become Victims

6 hari lalu

Protest Against TNI Law in Malang Turns Violent, 8 Student Journalists Become Victims

Eight student journalists became victims of violence by authorities while covering a protest against the TNI Law in the city of Malang last Sunday.


Nine Turkish Journalists Detained While Covering Arrest of Erdogan's Rival

6 hari lalu

Nine Turkish Journalists Detained While Covering Arrest of Erdogan's Rival

Turkish police have detained nine journalists who were covering the detention of Istanbul's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.


Turkey Jails Istanbul Mayor Before Trial, Stoking Opposition Anger

6 hari lalu

Turkey Jails Istanbul Mayor Before Trial, Stoking Opposition Anger

A Turkish court jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu after being criticized as politicized and undemocratic.


LBH Pers on Terror Against Tempo: 'Systematic Attacks Reflect Perpetrators' Impunity'

7 hari lalu

LBH Pers on Terror Against Tempo: 'Systematic Attacks Reflect Perpetrators' Impunity'

Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers) emphasizes that this attack is not just a threat to Tempo, but to press freedom in general.


National Police Commission Investigates Vandalism of Tempo Journalist's Car with Metro Police

7 hari lalu

National Police Commission Investigates Vandalism of Tempo Journalist's Car with Metro Police

The National Police Commission (Kompolnas) emphasizes that press freedom is a fundamental pillar of democracy that must be protected.


Read Entire Article
Pemilu | Tempo | |