Turkish court hands down 11-month suspended sentence to Swedish journalist for disparaging Erdogan
Hard-Hitting Journalist Faces Suspended Sentence in Turkey
In a bizarre turn of events, Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, known for his critical reporting on governments around the globe, was handed a suspended eleven-month sentence by a Turkish court for supposedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
This shocking ruling came while Medin was already in custody, awaiting the outcome of a separate trial on terrorism charges. He had initially been apprehended at Istanbul Airport on March 27, during his arrival to cover the national protests that erupted in response to the detention of renowned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Medin was later accused of not only insulting Erdogan but also belonging to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.
The specific trial that Medin is currently facing stemmed from a demonstration in Stockholm on January 11, 2023, organized by PKK sympathizers. An Erdogan effigy was hung upside down during the protest. Turkish authorities identified 15 suspects, including Medin, who apparently participated in, organized, or covered the event. Allegations against Medin included facilitating communication between the PKK and the media.
During an opening hearing in April, Medin claimed he had been subjected to multiple violations of his basic rights during the initial stages of his detention, such as the denial of access to a translator, a lawyer, and consular services. He vehemently denied being present at the demonstration and the sharing of any related social media posts.
Medin's wife, Sofie Axelsson, expressed relief at the suspended sentence but also described the trial as "very strange," while Dagens ETC's editor-in-chief, Andreas Gustavsson, described the outcome as "absurd" but also a "victory" allowing the journalist to "return home to us and his wife, Sofie Axelsson."
It's worth noting that the PKK has been waging a 40-year insurgency in Turkey, causing the loss of tens of thousands of lives and designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies. A peace initiative between the Turkish state and the PKK began in October, and the organization declared a ceasefire earlier this month following a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan.
Remarkably, Medin is no stranger to controversial situations. His investigative journalism has delved into the complexities of various governments, including those of Israel, Hungary, Russia, and the United States. His covert operations in Turkey have raised concerns about press freedom and the risks international journalists face while working in the region.
As of now, Medin remains in Sweden following his release, and while he has been cleared of the "insulting the president" charge for the time being, he continues to face ongoing legal proceedings in Turkey for membership in a terrorist organization. The next hearing is scheduled for September 25, 2025. Regardless of the outcome, Medin's case will certainly continue to highlight the complex interplay of journalism, politics, and international relations.
The suspended sentence given to Joakim Medin, a critical reporter known for his coverage of war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice, has raised concerns about press freedom in Turkey. This comes after being accused of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and belonging to the PKK, a designated terrorist organization. Despite the suspended sentence, Medin continues to face ongoing legal proceedings in Turkey for membership in a terrorist organization.
