Swedish journalist to face trial for terrorism charges in Türkiye – JURIST
Turkish authorities brought charges on Wednesday against Joakim Medin, a Swedish journalist for Dagens ETC, for insulting the president. Medem was also charged with terror crimes, with a potential sentence of 12 years of imprisonment.
Medin travelled extensively to conflict-ridden areas in Türkiye, while according to Turkish authorities allegedly promoting pro-PKK sentiments on his social media accounts and possessing promotional material to support the group. Specifically, Medin is suspected of promoting and disseminating images of a 2023 protest in Stockholm where PKK members hung a figure of the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, after which Turkish authorities launched an investigation.
Medin’s employer, Dagens ETC, has refuted the allegations. Editor in chief of Dagens ETC, Andreas Gustavon, stated that Medin was doing his job as a journalist and is not guilty of any terrorist act. Medin’s lawyer, Veysel Ok, has also stated that there is no concrete evidence to substantiate the allegations of insulting the president or committing acts of terrorism, and Medin is being prosecuted for his activities as a journalist. He argues that Medin’s work as a journalist is protected under the right to freedom of expression of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Recent reports suggest the evidence being used against Medin includes his 2016 book “Kobane” on Kurds in Syria, several articles he published regarding the Kurds and Türkiye, and his social media activity.
Medin’s arrest was linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party, also known as PKK, an extremist organization designated as a terrorist group by Türkiye, the EU and the US. PKK has been locked in conflict against the Turkish government since 1984, with ceasefires proving to be ineffective.
Medin’s trial was confirmed on Thursday for April 30, 2025 in an open courtroom, a decision lauded by Dagens ETC. Türkiye is currently facing mass protests in light of the recent arrest of Istanbul Mayor and opposition candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu. The UN also criticized the continued misuse of counter-terrorism laws by Turkish authorities to arrest human rights defenders and lawyers.
