Ankara – Swedish journalist Joakim Medin has been detained in Turkey and faces charges, including insulting the president. His arrest occurred at Istanbul Airport as he arrived to cover large-scale protests taking place in the country at the end of March.
In advance of the trial scheduled for Wednesday, a notable delegation from Sweden has gathered in Ankara.
“Turkey must realize that failure to release Joakim Medin could lead to severe repercussions for its relations with both Sweden and the EU,” warns Jonas Sjöstedt, an MEP from the Left Party.
Sjöstedt is attending the trial alongside Ulrika Westerlund, a Green Party Member of Parliament.
“Our presence is significant; we believe it will influence the situation. This is a politically motivated prosecution; the charges are a reflection of Medin’s work as a journalist, not actual crimes,” Westerlund stated in an interview with TT outside the courthouse.
According to Jonas Sjöstedt, Medin’s case is beginning to attract attention “across multiple EU countries.”
“We have convened Swedish parliamentarians and will present a proposal for a vote next week. It is likely that the EU Parliament will denounce the arrest and call for Joakim Medin’s release.”
(April 30)
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