It would be contrary to Swedish general legal principles to contribute to a process that could restrict freedom of expression and free and unfettered journalism, says Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M).
According to him, the decision indirectly affects all Swedish journalists.
This is a way to protect the right of every journalist and individual to work and express themselves freely.
Joakim Medin is charged in Turkey with being part of a terrorist organization and spreading terrorist propaganda. Since Medin is in Sweden, Turkey has requested that a Swedish court hold an interrogation of him.
This is about whether Sweden should allow our courts to become tools for other countries' legal processes against Swedish journalists, says Strömmer.
“Politically motivated”
For Joakim Medin, the decision was expected.
"It didn't come as an extreme surprise, given that the law looks the way it does. We have known from the beginning that this is a politically motivated prosecution, and that such things have no place in the Swedish legal system," he says.
At the same time, he wants to be heard, to learn more about the charges against him and to have the trial overturned. He has expressed frustration that the government's decision has been delayed and that the government has not communicated with him.
"I hope that after this they can contact me and that we can establish a dialogue again. Is this their last statement on my case or are we entering a new phase now where they can give me a little more support?"
“Between two states”
Medin has expressed concern that Turkey will issue an international arrest warrant for him if the trial does not take place, which would mean that Medin would risk arrest if he travels outside the Schengen area.
"It is very unclear what will happen now. My lawyers have always said that the easiest way would be if the government here could make an exception to avoid a potential wanted list," says Joakim Medin.
Gunnar Strömmer understands that Medin is frustrated.
"I understand that this is a difficult situation for Joakim Medin. But he is not a party to the handling of this matter. It is a matter between two states," says Strömmer.
According to the law, we cannot make any other decision than this.
Medin was detained in Turkey for 51 days last spring after being arrested when he arrived in the country to cover protests against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the newspaper ETC. He was charged with participating in a terrorist organization, spreading terrorist propaganda and insulting the president.
In an initial trial in Ankara, he received a suspended sentence for insulting the president.
He was released on May 16, 2025 and landed in Sweden the following day.
Although he has been released, the terrorism charges remain pending in Turkey in Medin's absence.
The trial was due to begin in September last year, but the date was postponed to January this year and postponed again to May 7 at the request of Medin's legal representative.
