A Turkish court has given Swedish journalist Kaj Joakim Medin an 11-month suspended sentence for allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The ruling came after Medin’s arrest in Istanbul in late March. Though he will not serve time for the insult charge, he remains behind bars due to separate allegations linked to terrorism. The case has sparked renewed debate about press freedom in Turkey.
Insult Allegation Linked to 2023 Stockholm Protest
Medin, who writes for the Swedish newspaper Dagens ETC, was detained at Istanbul Airport upon arrival. Turkish authorities accuse him of being connected to a 2023 protest in Stockholm. During that event, demonstrators displayed an image of Erdoğan on a public building.
In court, Medin strongly denied any involvement. He said he was not in Sweden at the time of the protest and had no control over which images were used to accompany his reporting.
“I never meant to insult President Erdoğan,” Medin stated in court.
Despite these claims, the court handed down an 11-month sentence. However, it was suspended, meaning Medin does not need to serve jail time—unless he is found guilty of another offense during the probation period.
Still Held on Terrorism Charges
While the insult case has been settled, Medin remains in custody due to other ongoing accusations. Turkish prosecutors allege he supported the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group banned in Turkey and the EU.
Authorities are reviewing his past reporting between 2014 and 2017, especially coverage from conflict areas like Syria, Iraq, and southeastern Turkey. They also cite some of his older social media posts as evidence.
According to Turkish officials, they believe these materials may have promoted sympathy for the PKK. No official court date has been set for the terrorism-related trial, and the investigation continues.
Free Speech Concerns Grow
The decision to keep Medin in detention has raised concerns among international observers. Press freedom groups and legal watchdogs argue that the case could be politically motivated.
Turkey has faced frequent criticism from rights organizations over its treatment of journalists and use of anti-terror laws. According to the European Federation of Journalists, Turkey remains one of the leading jailers of journalists in Europe.
Legal experts note that laws against insulting the president are often used to silence critics. Article 299 of Turkey’s Penal Code allows for prison terms of up to four years for such offenses, with longer sentences possible if committed publicly or via media.
Background on Kaj Joakim Medin
Kaj Joakim Medin is a freelance journalist who has reported on war, politics, and human rights in the Middle East. His work has appeared in various European outlets.
Between 2014 and 2017, he covered stories from areas affected by ISIS and civil war, including northern Syria and parts of Iraq. He is known for his investigative work and has written extensively on Kurdish groups and refugee movements.
Medin’s arrest has drawn attention from journalists’ unions in Sweden and beyond. Advocacy groups are calling for his immediate release and a fair legal process.
For now, Medin’s legal future remains unclear. While the suspended sentence in the insult case is now on record, the more serious terrorism charges are still under investigation.
No trial date has been confirmed, and Turkish authorities say the process may take several more weeks.
Observers say the outcome of Medin’s case could send a strong message about the state of free speech and journalistic safety in Turkey.
