Türkiye refutes claims of deporting BBC journalist over reporting
Mark Lowen was deported on March 27 following a brief detention in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Photo: BBC Int.)
Türkiye’s Presidential Communications Directorate’s Center for Combating Disinformation has dismissed allegations that the deportation of BBC News correspondent Mark Lowen was linked to his journalistic activities and coverage of protests, labeling such claims as disinformation.
In a statement, the Center clarified that Lowen, a British journalist, had engaged in news activities in Istanbul without notifying the Presidency or applying for the required accreditation.
Lowen was detained for 17 hours before being deported on March 26. According to the BBC, Turkish authorities cited him as a “threat to public order” in a written deportation notice. The broadcaster described the move as “extremely troubling” and announced plans to raise concerns with Turkish officials.
BBC News muhabiri Mark Lowen'ın sınır dışı edilmesinin, "gazetecilik faaliyetleri yürütmek ve protesto haberleri yapmakla" bağdaştırılması dezenformasyondur.
Bilindiği üzere Türkiye’de görev yapan yabancı basın mensuplarının daimi ve geçici akreditasyon işlemleri Basın Kartı… pic.twitter.com/CACjGlreaF
— Dezenformasyonla Mücadele Merkezi (@dmmiletisim) March 27, 2025
‘Do not rely on unfounded allegations’
“Permanent and temporary accreditation procedures for foreign press members in Türkiye are conducted in accordance with Articles 9, 39, and 40 of the Press Card Regulation,” the statement read. “Administrative measures are taken against press members who fail to follow proper application procedures and engage in professional activities without authorization.”
The Center emphasized that the deportation was an administrative action unrelated to Lowen’s reporting. “Please do not rely on unfounded allegations aimed at manipulating public opinion,” it concluded.
Protests over former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s arrest have drawn thousands nationwide, with more than 1,400 demonstrators detained. Erdogan has condemned the unrest, accusing the opposition of attempting to destabilize the country.
Imamoglu was arrested on March 23 by the on-duty criminal court of peace as part of a corruption investigation into the Turkish metropolitan municipality. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had launched investigations against Imamoglu and 99 other suspects on charges, including leading a criminal organization, membership in a criminal organization, embezzlement, bribery, aggravated fraud, unlawful acquisition of personal data, and rigging public tenders.
Murat Ongun, an aide to Imamoglu and the chairman of Medya Inc.—a company owned by the municipality—along with Imamoglu Insaat Company General Manager Tuncay Yilmaz were also arrested as part of the investigation.
