Turkish prosecutors have filed terrorism and defamation charges against Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, a correspondent for Dagens ETC, over alleged pro-PKK activity and “insulting the president.” Medin, who has extensively reported from Kurdish regions, faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted. His trial is scheduled for April 30, 2025, in an open court proceeding in Türkiye.
Accusations Tied to PKK, Erdoğan Insult Law
According to Turkish authorities, the charges stem from Medin’s reporting, published works, and online activity. He is accused of sharing images from a controversial 2023 protest in Stockholm, where a figure resembling President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was hung upside down by demonstrators allegedly linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)—a group designated as a terrorist organisation by Türkiye, the EU, and the U.S.
Authorities claim Medin possessed and disseminated pro-PKK material, including content from his 2016 book Kobane, which chronicles Kurdish resistance in Syria.
Medin’s legal team, however, says the prosecution has presented no concrete evidence of criminal conduct. His lawyer, Veysel Ok, argues the charges are politically motivated and violate Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects freedom of expression and journalistic work.
“Joakim Medin is being prosecuted not for terrorism, but for journalism,” Ok said, adding that the case represents a broader pattern of suppressing dissent in Türkiye.
Reactions from Media and Rights Groups
Dagens ETC has strongly denied the accusations. Editor-in-chief Andreas Gustavsson said Medin was doing his job as a journalist and condemned the case as an attack on press freedom.
“There’s no crime in publishing the truth. This trial is an affront to democratic values,” Gustavsson said in a public statement.
The trial comes amid heightened tensions in Türkiye following the recent arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key opposition figure. The move has sparked mass protests and renewed international criticism of Türkiye’s use of counter-terrorism laws to target journalists, human rights defenders, and political opponents.
In a statement last month, UN experts accused Turkish authorities of “systematically misusing anti-terrorism legislation” to silence dissent, a claim Ankara has consistently rejected.
Broader Context
The case underscores mounting concerns over freedom of the press and political expression in Türkiye. Medin’s work often focused on Kurdish regions and human rights issues, placing him in the crosshairs of a government that has increasingly criminalized critical reporting, especially related to the PKK conflict that has raged since 1984.
While the April 30 trial will be public—a decision welcomed by Dagens ETC—rights groups are watching closely to see whether Türkiye’s judiciary upholds due process.
Sources:
- Chaturvedi, Maanya. “Swedish journalist to face trial for terrorism charges in Türkiye.” Jurist, National Law University, Delhi
- UN OHCHR: https://www.ohchr.org
- European Convention on Human Rights (Article 10)
- Dagens ETC Public Statements
- Background on PKK designation: U.S. State Department, EU Council Decisions
