BBC Journalist Mark Lowen Detained and Deported from Turkey Amid Protests

Veteran BBC correspondent Mark Lowen has been deported from Turkey following a 17-hour detention while reporting on protests related to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The situation underscores the challenges facing press freedom in the country.

 

In a significant development, Mark Lowen, a seasoned correspondent with extensive experience in Turkey, was detained by Turkish authorities on Wednesday while covering protests in Istanbul. The protests erupted after the recent arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who faces corruption charges he claims are politically motivated. Imamoglu, a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been designated as a presidential candidate for the 2028 elections, intensifying the political climate.

The BBC confirmed Lowen's deportation in a statement, revealing that he was taken from his hotel and held for 17 hours before being served with a deportation notice citing him as a "threat to public order." Expressing his distress over the situation, Lowen remarked on the irony of being deported from a country he previously called home for five years. He emphasized the importance of press freedom and impartial reporting as critical elements of democracy.

BBC News CEO Deborah Turness condemned the incident, highlighting Lowen's expertise and affirming that no journalist should face such treatment while pursuing their work. As protests in Turkey continue, with over 1,400 detentions reported, dissent against the government remains palpable. Erdogan has described the ongoing demonstrations as "evil" and accused opposition groups of sowing discord.

In addition to Lowen, numerous other journalists have been arrested in recent days, including a photographer from Agence France Presse. Many have since been released, but the crackdown on media coverage of the protests raises concerns about Turkey's commitment to freedom of the press. While nightly protests have decreased, the opposition Republican People's Party is organizing a rally in Istanbul, aiming to reclaim democratic rights amidst growing unrest.