A Turkish court has sentenced Swedish journalist Joakim Medin to an 11-month suspended prison term for allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The journalist, who works for the Swedish daily Dagens ETC, remains in custody as he faces separate terrorism-related charges.
Medin was detained on March 27 upon his arrival at Istanbul Airport, where he had traveled to cover nationwide protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The charges of insulting Erdogan stem from an investigation into a 2023 rally in Stockholm, where an effigy of Erdogan was displayed. Turkish authorities allege that Medin facilitated communication between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and media outlets, accusations he has denied.
During the court hearing, Medin joined via video link from Istanbul’s high-security Marmara Prison. He refuted the allegations, stating, “I was not present at the rally, nor did I share any related social media posts.” His defense team has highlighted multiple violations of his rights during detention, including limited access to legal and consular services.
The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies, has been engaged in a decades-long conflict with the Turkish state. Medin’s second trial, which could result in a maximum nine-year prison sentence, has yet to be scheduled.
The case has drawn international attention, with media rights organizations condemning the charges as an attack on press freedom. Medin’s lawyer has called for his acquittal, emphasizing that the journalist was merely performing his professional duties. The outcome of the terrorism trial remains uncertain, as global scrutiny over Turkey’s treatment of journalists intensifies.
