**In a significant blow to press freedom, BBC correspondent Mark Lowen has been deported from Turkey after reporting on protests linked to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.**
**Turkish Authorities Deport BBC Journalist Amid Ongoing Protests**
**Turkish Authorities Deport BBC Journalist Amid Ongoing Protests**
**Concerns Rise Over Press Freedom as Mark Lowen Is Detained and Deported While Covering Demonstrations**
In a shocking development, BBC journalist Mark Lowen has been deported from Turkey following his arrest in Istanbul, where he had been reporting on protests against the recent jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Imamoglu, who faces corruption charges that he denies, is considered a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his administration.
The BBC reported that Lowen was taken from his hotel and held for 17 hours before being informed of his deportation on March 27. In an official notice, Turkish authorities cited his presence as a "threat to public order." Expressing his distress over the situation, Lowen remarked, "To be detained and deported from the country where I previously lived for five years and for which I have such affection has been extremely distressing." He emphasized the importance of press freedom, stating that impartial reporting is essential for democracy.
BBC News CEO Deborah Turness condemned the incident, underscoring that Lowen's experience and commitment to fair reporting should not lead to such treatment. Human Rights Watch representative Emma Sinclair-Webb criticized the deportation as a clear warning to international media about the Turkish government's intolerance of unfavorable coverage.
As protests against Imamoglu's arrest continue, with more than 1,400 individuals reportedly detained, demonstrators maintain that the judicial actions are politically charged. Meanwhile, Erdogan labeled the protests "evil," attributing the unrest to opposition forces disrupting societal peace.
Though nightly protests have seen a reduction in activity, the main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has announced plans for a rally in Istanbul on Saturday, aiming to gather further public support against the government's actions.
The BBC reported that Lowen was taken from his hotel and held for 17 hours before being informed of his deportation on March 27. In an official notice, Turkish authorities cited his presence as a "threat to public order." Expressing his distress over the situation, Lowen remarked, "To be detained and deported from the country where I previously lived for five years and for which I have such affection has been extremely distressing." He emphasized the importance of press freedom, stating that impartial reporting is essential for democracy.
BBC News CEO Deborah Turness condemned the incident, underscoring that Lowen's experience and commitment to fair reporting should not lead to such treatment. Human Rights Watch representative Emma Sinclair-Webb criticized the deportation as a clear warning to international media about the Turkish government's intolerance of unfavorable coverage.
As protests against Imamoglu's arrest continue, with more than 1,400 individuals reportedly detained, demonstrators maintain that the judicial actions are politically charged. Meanwhile, Erdogan labeled the protests "evil," attributing the unrest to opposition forces disrupting societal peace.
Though nightly protests have seen a reduction in activity, the main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has announced plans for a rally in Istanbul on Saturday, aiming to gather further public support against the government's actions.
