Turkey: EFJ calls for acquittal of Swedish journalist Joakim Medin
Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, a regular contributor to the Swedish daily newspaper Dagens ETC and member of the Swedish Union of Journalists (SJF), is facing up to 12 years in prison in Turkey for allegedly ‘insulting the President’ and belonging to “a terrorist organisation’. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) condemned these unfounded accusations, which are used as a recurring tactic to criminalise journalistic activities. The first hearing will take place on 30 April in Ankara.
Joakim was detained on 27 March 2025, shortly after landing in Istanbul to cover the widespread protests against the recent arrest of Istanbul Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Medin’s only ‘crime’ is to have published reports on Turkey, a country he has visited multiple times. His latest book, “The Kurd Trace”, examines Turkey in relation to Sweden’s NATO application. The prosecution stems directly from his journalistic activities.
On 12 April, Joakim sent the following message from his prison cell: “I’m still hopeful that this can be resolved quickly. I still want to believe that the pen is mightier than the sword.”
European journalists are joining forces today to demand Joakim’s acquittal, sending a clear message that journalism cannot be repressed.
I strongly condemn the baseless accusations brought against Joakim Medin. His reporting on Turkey and its politics is legitimate journalistic work, not a criminal act. Targeting a foreign reporter with vague charges is a clear attempt to intimidate the international press and control the narrative. We call for Joakim’s immediate acquittal and urge Turkish authorities to respect press freedom, said EFJ vice-president Mustafa Kuleli.
We stand by Joakim and all imprisoned journalists in Turkey. Journalism is not a crime.
