Joakim Medin is being prosecuted for terrorist crimes and insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey. He risks up to twelve years in prison if convicted.
The Foreign Minister has stated that the Swedish work is now entering a new phase, but does not specify exactly what this means.
It's a new phase because we will be able to take part in several trials and then it will also become clearer what Joakim Medin is being accused of. Then it will also be possible for us to make other assessments, she says.
"Analyzing the charges"
Can you do anything else now other than waiting for the trial?
We are now analyzing the charges and have continued contact on several different levels.
Malmer Stenergard wants to assume that Medin will receive a fair trial, but says that they will closely monitor this. The Swedish Embassy in Turkey will seek permission to attend the trial.
The Social Democrats' foreign policy spokesperson Morgan Johansson thinks that Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) should act towards Turkey's President to get Medin back home.
This marks the importance we attach to this, says Johansson.
Maria Malmer Stenergard thanks for the advice.
But we do in each situation what we believe has the best effect, she says.
Applying pressure
Turkey has, according to Malmer Stenergard, not made any demands on Sweden for Medin to be released.
Morgan Johansson also thinks that the Council of Europe should apply pressure on Turkey, given the development that has taken place since Istanbul's mayor – Erdogan's rival Ekrem Imamoglu – was arrested earlier this spring with extensive protests as a result. Sweden's government should urge the Council of Europe to act, Johansson believes.
