Turkey Releases Swedish Journalist Convicted of Insulting Erdogan

turkey, sweden - Turkish authorities release Joakim Medin, a Swedish journalist convicted of insulting President Erdogan, following international pressure. Medin, arrested in Istanbul, reported on protests against Erdogan's actions.

Turkey Frees Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin

Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, who was convicted of insulting President Erdogan in Turkey, has been released and is returning to Sweden, announced Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Arrest and Charges

Medin was arrested on March 27 upon arrival at Istanbul airport. He had traveled to Turkey to cover protests following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.

The Turkish Center for Disinformation accused Medin of being a member of an armed terrorist organization and insulting the president. Allegedly, he was involved in a protest in Stockholm in 2023 where a effigy resembling Erdogan was hung outside city hall.

Legal Proceedings

Medin was sentenced to eleven months in prison, with a suspended sentence, on April 30 for insulting Erdogan. He was also detained pending trial for alleged involvement in a terrorist organization.

After international pressure, Turkey released Medin. Swedish PM Kristersson expressed gratitude for the support from European counterparts in securing Medin's release.