Joakim Medin doesn't dare to predict how it will go.
Most likely, the judge will sooner or later decide that I will be wanted again. But that remains to be seen. It is incredibly difficult to know what the judge will decide. It depends on whether the judge is independent or in the government's hands and on the political climate in the country.
Medin does not yet know exactly what he is accused of. He has still not seen the documents that Turkey has sent to the Ministry of Justice, he explains.
I'm as curious as anyone else. What will this lead to and what will they say about me?
"Powerless"
The process is frustrating for Medin, who is currently on parental leave.
Now I have to devote my mental energy to this instead. Being powerless is not fun when you hear serious accusations being thrown at you and when it also affects my career, private life and everything.
Several Swedes are traveling to attend the trial, including representatives from the Swedish Journalists' Association and the Newspaper Publishers Association.
Also present is Left Party MEP Jonas Sjöstedt. He has previously initiated a resolution in parliament demanding that Turkey drop the charges against Medin.
The signaling plays a role, Sjöstedt believes.
The more criticism there is, the higher the price for Turkey to pursue this process, which is about silencing critical journalists. Turkey must understand that if they convict Joakim Medin, it will be very bad for the relationship with both Sweden and the EU, he says.
Criticizes the government
Sjöstedt is critical of how the government has handled the case.
Unfortunately, it has been a failure. It's like they don't want this conflict with Turkey. I think it's unfortunate for several reasons. Partly, it's about Joakim Medin's freedom, but also about defending Swedish press freedom.
He has also invited the other parties to the trip.
We have sent a letter and made them aware of the trial and that it would be nice to have company. I think I was the only party this time, but we have had one hundred percent support in the EU Parliament from all Swedish parties.
Joakim Medin was arrested in Turkey last spring when he traveled to the country to cover protests against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for ETC.
Medin was charged with participating in a terrorist organization, spreading terrorist propaganda, and insulting the president.
In an initial trial in Ankara, he was given a suspended sentence for insult. He was released on May 16, 2025, after 51 days in prison.
The terrorism charges still stand and are being tried in Turkey in Medin's absence.
The trial was supposed to begin in September last year, but has been postponed twice.
Turkey has requested that Medin be heard via a link from Sweden during the trial, but the Swedish government has said no.
