Joakim Medin was arrested on Thursday in Istanbul and has been taken to a Turkish prison. Now, his employer, Dagens ETC, reports that he has been allowed to meet with his legal counsel.
I just found out that the legal counsel appointed by Joakim Medin's family got to meet him in Maltepe prison. He explained that he himself has not been informed of what he is accused of, says editor-in-chief Andreas Gustavsson to ETC.
The counsel will now visit him daily.
According to Turkish authorities, Medin is one of 15 suspects in an investigation that began after a doll depicting Erdogan was hung outside Stockholm City Hall in 2023, reports Reuters.
Denied
The protest was held by the activist group Rojavakommittéerna. The activist group claims to several media outlets that Medin did not participate in the action and is not or has not been a member.
Medin was reportedly arrested directly upon arrival in Turkey and was said to be wanted by Turkish authorities.
TT has sought out Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) and the Foreign Ministry. The Ministry states that they are "working full-time on the case". Turkey's ambassador in Sweden has been contacted to clarify the charges, and the Ministry has also demanded swift consular access.
"Joakim Medin is receiving consular support and the consulate general in Istanbul is in contact with him", writes the Ministry's press service.
Questions about whether Swedish personnel have met Medin, what evidence has been presented, and how long Turkey plans to detain him remain unanswered.
"In order not to hinder our work and due to confidentiality, we cannot provide further details at this time", writes the Ministry.
Strengthened cooperation
Sweden and Turkey have strengthened their legal cooperation on terrorism and organized crime in recent years, which began in connection with the NATO process. Whether this cooperation will be affected by the arrest and terror charges against the Swedish journalist, the Ministry has not responded to.
Joakim Medin is a freelance journalist affiliated with Dagens ETC. Ten years ago, he was imprisoned in Syria after being in the Kurdish areas of the country. He spent a week in solitary confinement before being released.
Medin has visited Turkey as a journalist several times but has not had problems with the authorities previously.
