Swedish Journalist Freed After Erdogan Insult Case in Turkey
Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, who was arrested in Turkey and imprisoned for allegedly "insulting" President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been released, confirmed Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Kristersson announced Medin's release on X, stating that the journalist is on his way back to Sweden. He also thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European colleagues for their assistance in securing Medin's release.
Details of the Arrest and Charges
Medin, who works for the Swedish newspaper Dagens ETC, was initially detained upon arriving in Istanbul on March 27. He had traveled to Turkey to cover protests sparked by the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Imamoglu, a prominent figure from the center-left CHP party, was re-elected as Istanbul mayor last year and had been designated as the party's candidate despite his detention.
Legal Proceedings and Terrorism Charges
Medin was given an 11-month suspended sentence in Ankara for "insulting the president," with additional terrorism charges levied against him. Despite the suspended sentence, Medin remained in custody pending a separate trial for alleged ties to a terror organization.
Medin denied the accusations, specifically refuting claims of participating in a Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) protest in Stockholm in January 2023. The PKK has since announced its intention to disband and end its armed insurgency against Turkey.