Swedish journalist Joakim Medin was released from prison in Turkey on Friday following a legal appeal by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA). Medin left the country the same day.
Medin was initially detained at Istanbul Airport on 28 March and charged with insulting the Turkish president and membership of a terrorist organisation. In a hearing on 30 April, he was sentenced to 11 months and 20 days for insulting the president but was released from that charge. However, he remained in detention due to the organisation membership accusation.
The case relating to the organisation membership was initially handled by Ankara’s 17th High Criminal Court but was transferred to İstanbul’s 13th High Criminal Court due to jurisdiction issues. Following this transfer, MLSA successfully appealed for Medin’s release. He was freed from Silivri Prison, where he had been held.
Medin’s trial on the membership charge is scheduled to begin on 25 September in İstanbul.
