Journalist in Sweden receives suspended sentence for discussing Erdogan in disrespectful manner
A Swedish journalist named Joakim Medin, working for Dagens ETC, found himself in hot water at Istanbul airport on March 27, 2025, as he arrived to cover the intense turmoil brewing in Turkey. He was nabbed on two counts: drawing the big man's ire and aligning with a terror outfit, landing him in Istanbul's Silivri prison the day after his arrest. He vehemently denies the charges.
After delivering the suspended sentence, the judge ordered Medin's release, as per the correspondent's accounts and statements by the Turkish rights group defending him. However, due to the second allegation - for which a trial date is yet to be set - Medin must continue his stay behind bars.
In an article published in Dagens ETC, Medin shared his sentiments, celebrating "one battle won, another to come" but remaining optimistic that he'd soon be returning home.
Turkey's prosecutors claim Medin took part in a protest in Stockholm in January 2023, where demonstrators hung an effigy of President Erdogan. Months later, this very image surfaced once more, this time brandishing an LGBTQ flag on a Kurdish activists' float during Stockholm's Pride Parade, according to the indictment. The prosecutors alleged that the objectionable images were used to illustrate several of Medin's online articles.
Addressing the court via a video link from Silivri prison, Medin clarified that he had not even attended this rally, as he was in Germany for work at the time. While he shared links to articles about Sweden's NATO accession—which was initially blocked by Turkey—he maintained that he was solely responsible for the editorial content and not the photo selection.
His defense lawyer, Veysel Ok, called for Medin's acquittal, asserting that the journalist had no reason or intention to deliberately insult the president. The lawyer contended that Medin played no part in the images at hand, arguing that he had merely reported on the NATO process, which was of great importance to Sweden as military conflict with Russia was a possibility.
Insulting the president is a charge that has ensnared many, from teenagers to journalists and even Miss Turkey, frequently used as a tool to stifle dissent. As Medin awaits a trial date for the terrorism charge, his lawyers have filed a petition with Turkey's Constitutional Court, claiming violations of his freedom, fair trial, and expression rights.
Reporters Without Borders expressed regret over Medin's ongoing detention, urging Turkish authorities to expedite the second trial, drop the charges, and release the journalist. In the courts, it was evident to everyone, including European Parliament member Jonas Sjostedt, that Medin was innocent, his only crime being his diligent journalism.
Turkey currently ranks 158th out of 180 countries in the press freedom index. If found guilty on both charges, Medin may face up to 12 years in prison. The charge of belonging to a terror organization carries a potential sentence of up to 9 years. This accusation along with a wave of criticisms from international press freedom groups, such as IPI and MFRR, suggest a political motive behind the charges.
© 2025 AFP
- Joakim Medin, detained in Istanbul's Silivri prison, published an article in Dagens ETC, stating, "one battle won, another to come," expressing optimism about his anticipated release.
- Addressing the court from Silivri prison, Medin disputed Turkey's prosecutors' claims that he took part in a January 2023 protest in Stockholm, asserting he was in Germany for work at the time.
- Veysel Ok, Medin's defense lawyer, pleaded for his acquittal, arguing that Medin had no intention to deliberately insult President Erdogan, and he played no part in the controversial images used in his online articles.
- Reporters Without Borders expressed concern over Medin's continued detention, urging Turkish authorities to speed up the second trial, drop the charges, and free the journalist.
- International press freedom organizations, including IPI and MFRR, have criticized Turkey for the charges against Medin, suggesting a political motive behind the accusations, potentially leading to up to 12 years in prison if found guilty on both charges.
