Asger Risom
Joakim Medin remains jailed as Ankara pursues a second case alleging ties to Kurdish militants
A Turkish court has handed Swedish journalist Joakim Medin an 11-month suspended prison sentence for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Although released on paper, Medin remains incarcerated in Istanbul’s Silivri Prison while facing additional terrorism-related charges, according to HotNews.ro.
Arrested Upon Arrival, Still Held Without Trial
Medin, a correspondent for Dagens ETC, was arrested on March 27 upon arrival in Istanbul. He was charged the following day with both insulting the president and alleged affiliation with a terrorist organization. Turkish authorities claim these charges are unrelated to his journalism.
The government alleges Medin attended a pro-Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) rally in Stockholm in January 2023, where protesters symbolically mocked Erdoğan using a puppet effigy. The PKK is classified as a terrorist group by Turkey and its NATO allies.
Prosecutors also accuse Medin of helping facilitate contacts between PKK members and international media outlets. A broader investigation into 15 suspects linked to the same event was launched in early 2023.
Political Context and Journalistic Mission
Medin traveled to Turkey to report on nationwide protests following the March 19 arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent opposition figure and Erdoğan rival.
His newspaper and Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed he was scheduled to cover antigovernment demonstrations.
Despite Wednesday’s suspended sentence for defaming the president, Medin remains behind bars as he awaits a second trial on terrorism charges. No date has been set.
Sweden-Turkey Tensions Persist
The case could further strain relations between Stockholm and Ankara. While Swedish officials have called for due process and press freedom, Turkish authorities continue to link Medin to anti-state activities.
The Turkish government has emphasized that the charges are not politically motivated. However, critics argue the case reflects a broader crackdown on dissent, with journalists and activists often targeted under sweeping anti-terror laws.
Medin’s future remains uncertain as he faces potentially more severe penalties if convicted in the upcoming terrorism case.