Swedish journalist faces trial in Turkey amidst diplomatic tension
Joakim Medin, a Swedish journalist, has been detained in a Turkish jail for a month, facing charges of insulting the president of Turkey and terrorism. According to the newspaper "ETC," Medin could face up to 12 years in prison.
The journalist's lawyer, Veysel Ok, emphasises that the charges relate solely to his journalistic activities, including social media posts, interviews, and his travels.
Medin's trial is set to begin next week in Ankara, with the journalist participating remotely from Silivri prison near Istanbul.
Sweden's diplomatic actions
Sweden's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maria Malmer Stenergard, has assured that diplomatic efforts for Medin's release will continue. The journalist was detained on March 27 at an airport in Turkey, where he had arrived to report on protests following the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition mayor of Istanbul.
The Turkish authorities allege that Medin was involved in hanging an effigy resembling President Erdogan during an anti-Turkish protest in Stockholm in January 2023. The Turkish government has postponed Sweden's admission to NATO, accusing it of granting asylum to Kurds and Erdogan's political opponents.
Criticism of Erdogan's policies
Medin is the author of critical articles about Erdogan's policies and the book "The Kurdish Trail: Sweden, Turkey, and the Price of NATO Membership." Representatives of journalistic organisations have demonstrated in his defence outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm.
British journalists accused in Turkey
Medin is not the only journalist facing accusations in Turkey. Two British journalists working for Vice News have been arrested on charges of terrorist activities. A court in Diyarbakir has decided to keep them in detention.
The charges relate to alleged support for the Islamic State, although details of the supposed connections have not been provided. Amnesty International and other organisations are calling for their release, describing the accusations as "outrageous."
