NOS News•
The Swedish journalist who was arrested in Turkey more than a month ago is in court today. Joakim Medin is a prison sentence of twelve years above the head. He is suspected of insulting President Erdogan and of membership of a terrorist organization.
The Swedish journalist was arrested on March 27 when he arrived in Istanbul to report on the demonstrations against the Dogan government. These protests broke out after the arrest of Mayor Imamoglu of Istanbul, the opposition leader and most important political rival of Erdogan.
Imamoglu is suspected of bribery, fraud and managing a criminal organization. But his supporters are of the opinion that he has been fixed to prevent him from applying for the presidential election in 2028. For example, his university diploma was recently declared invalid, and that diploma needs Imamoglu to be able to apply.
More journalists have already been arrested who reported on the demonstrations. A BBC reporter was turned off the country. It is unclear whether Medin’s arrest is related to the protests.
Insult to the president
The first case against Medin on the role is about insulting Erdogan in the head of an article in his newspaper. That process is today in Ankara. Medin will be here, via a video connection with the prison in Silivri, where he is stuck.
In addition to criminals, politicians, activists, journalists and artists are held in this prison. It is the largest prison in Turkey, known for its poor living conditions. Imamoglu is also stuck here.
In a statement from the Erdogan office at the end of March, it was said that Medin is known for its anti-Turkish pieces and his ties with the PKK.
The session is public, which means that journalists, human rights organizations and embassy staff can also be there. One of the lawyers of Medin, Veysel OK, calls that positive: “That means that we can respond to the accusations.”
The international journalist organization IFJ demands the immediate release of Medin:
The second case against Medin revolves around the accusation of terrorist crimes and ties with the forbidden Kurdish PKK. It is not yet known when that process will start.
According to editor -in -chief Gustavsson of days etc, Medin is innocent. “I can only repeat that it is a journalist who did his work. Joakim is not a criminal and certainly not a terrorist. I think he himself is looking forward to the treatment of his case, simply because he is innocent.”
No proof
After studying the procedural documents, the lawyer says that the image is “clear”: “Joakim is exclusively prosecuted for his journalistic activities”. There is no concrete or convincing evidence for both charges, says the lawyer.
According to OK, journalism work is also not considered in Turkey as a crime. He says that the Turkish authorities may experience the documents of Medin as disturbing or provocative, but that the content falls under the right to freedom of expression. “That is why Joakim must immediately be acquitted and released.”
According to him, any other outcome is contrary to the Turkish Constitution and the European Convention for Human Rights.
