Both Joakim Medin and the imprisoned mayor Ekrem Imamoglu are being held on section 9 of the large Marmara prison in Silivri, reports Andreas Gustavsson, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Dagens ETC, which Joakim Medin works for.
Imamoglu is seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main rival and was arrested for alleged corruption on March 19. Since then, thousands of people have participated in almost daily street protests, despite the ban on demonstrations.
From a Swedish perspective, it's an obvious high-profile prison for political prisoners, says Andreas Gustavsson.
"No trivial matter"
This could mean practical advantages for Joakim Medin. The prison regularly receives international visitors, the food served is good, and he has the opportunity to spend time outdoors.
In addition to access from the Turkish lawyer team working on his case, Joakim Medin has also been able to talk to the Swedish consulate.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that contacts are being made regarding his case, that efforts are being made. I believe that. My feeling is that this is a priority for the Swedish government, says Gustavsson.
The fact that he has been moved to the massive prison complex in Silivri, however, sends a signal about the nature of the case – and that a release will require effort.
This is no trivial matter for Turkey either, one can conclude. The charges that have not yet been specified ... suggest that this is far beyond a deportation case. It's about serious charges being brought against Joakim, says the editor-in-chief.
A window exists
Medin is being accused in state-controlled media, without grounds, of having insulted Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and of being a member of a terrorist organization. He has not been charged with any crime.
I'm fairly convinced that the solution is politically diplomatic, rather than judicial. There is a window now, before it becomes a court case, to influence both Sweden and Turkey, says Andreas Gustavsson.
Journalist Joakim Medin traveled to Istanbul on assignment for the newspaper Dagens ETC on March 27 to report on the widespread protests in the country since Istanbul's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested earlier in the spring.
Medin was arrested at the airport and has been indirectly accused of being a member of a terrorist organization and of having insulted Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He has since been moved to the massive high-security Marmara prison in Silivri, outside Istanbul, where many of Turkey's political prisoners are being held or have been held.
