The BBC has confirmed Mark Lowen's deportation after he was detained for 17 hours while reporting on escalating anti-government demonstrations spurred by the arrest of Istanbul's mayor.
Turkey Expels BBC Journalist Amid Growing Unrest
Turkey Expels BBC Journalist Amid Growing Unrest
Turkey has expelled a BBC correspondent, Mark Lowen, who was covering widespread protests following the arrest of a prominent political rival.
The BBC reported on Thursday that Turkish authorities had deported their correspondent, Mark Lowen, who was in the nation to cover ongoing protests ignited by the recent incarceration of Ekrem Imamoglu, a significant opponent to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Lowen faced detention and was cited as “a threat to public order” before being released after 17 hours, ultimately returning to London on Thursday morning.
Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News, expressed deep concern over the incident, emphasizing that journalists should not endure such treatment when merely doing their job. “We will continue to report impartially and fairly on events in Turkey,” Turness affirmed while indicating that the BBC plans to reach out to Turkish officials about the matter.
The unrest in Turkey follows the arrest of Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, who was charged with corruption and allegedly supporting terrorism—a move critics see as politically motivated. This has instigated protests across Turkey, with hundreds of thousands participating and 170 reported arrests, as stated by the country’s interior ministry. Many believe these actions reflect Erdogan's increasingly authoritarian rule after two decades in power.
Lowen, who had resided in Turkey for five years prior to his recent visit, described his deportation as extremely distressing, reinforcing the notion that press freedom is vital for democracy. Turkey did not publicly announce Lowen's deportation, and officials have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the incident.
This crackdown on the press and political dissent has captured attention as over 1,300 individuals have reportedly been arrested in relation to the protests, including 11 journalists. Some journalists, like a photographer from Agence France-Presse, have since been released without charges.
Ben Hubbard contributed to the reporting from Istanbul.
