Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Detained in Turkey on Terrorism Charges

Medin's arrest intensifies scrutiny of Erdogan's government as Sweden prioritizes his release and protests against democratic backsliding continue.

Joakim Medin, a Swedish journalist, was arrested on March 27, 2025, at Istanbul airport and detained the following day on charges of terrorism and insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish authorities allege Medin's involvement in a 2023 pro-PKK demonstration in Stockholm, where a puppet mocking Erdogan was displayed, and accuse him of facilitating PKK-related press contacts.
The Turkish government insists Medin's arrest is unrelated to his journalism, despite ongoing crackdowns on journalists covering protests sparked by the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Sweden has declared Medin's release a top priority, with the foreign minister planning to raise the issue at an upcoming NATO meeting amid broader tensions over Turkey's stance on Sweden's NATO membership.
The protests in Turkey, the largest since 2013, continue to highlight growing international concerns over Erdogan's authoritarian policies and the erosion of democratic freedoms.