Swedish journalist Joakim Medin arrested in Türkiye on terror charges
Kaj Joakim Medin joachim was arrested in Istanbul on March 27 upon his arrival to Istanbul, Türkiye. (Courtesy of BBC)
Swedish journalist Kaj Joakim Medin has been arrested in Türkiye on charges of “insulting the president” and “membership in an armed terrorist organization,” according to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Medin was detained in Istanbul as part of an ongoing investigation into his alleged links to the PKK, a designated terrorist organization in Türkiye, the European Union and the United States.
Investigation linked to 2023 Stockholm protest
The investigation stems from a Jan. 11, 2023, incident in Stockholm, Sweden, where PKK supporters publicly hanged an effigy of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in front of the city’s municipal building.
Following the protest, Turkish authorities launched an inquiry on Jan. 13, 2023, to identify those involved in organizing, promoting, and disseminating images of the event.
Medin was among 15 suspects identified as having ties to the demonstration.
Arrest, evidence against Medin
Turkish security forces determined that Medin had entered Türkiye on March 27, 2025, leading to his immediate arrest in Istanbul.
Authorities state that he was actively involved in spreading footage of the Stockholm protest across social and national media.
Further investigations revealed that Medin, a correspondent for the Swedish publication Ete, had traveled extensively in conflict zones, including Kandil in 2014, Diyarbakir in 2016, and Erbil in 2017, allegedly engaging in anti-Türkiye activities.
Additionally, authorities reported that Medin’s social media accounts contained multiple images of PKK/YPG extremists, weapons, and flags, as well as content promoting the group’s ideology.
He was also found to have published organizational materials, news articles, and books supporting the group’s activities.
Court ruling and detention
Medin was transferred to the Ankara Criminal Court of Peace via video conference from Istanbul, accompanied by a lawyer and a translator.
The court ruled for his detention on charges of “insulting the president” and “membership in an armed terrorist organization.”
Medin remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.
