Turkey deports BBC’s reporter for covering protests

British journalist Mark Lowen has been deported from Turkey after being detained for 17 hours in Istanbul.

Lowen, a BBC News correspondent, was covering the ongoing protests sparked by the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu when Turkish authorities took him from his hotel on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, officials presented Lowen with a written notice stating he was being expelled for “being a threat to public order.” The BBC condemned the move, with CEO of News Deborah Turness calling it “an extremely troubling incident” and vowing to make representations to Turkish authorities.

Lowen, who previously lived in Turkey for five years, expressed deep distress over his deportation, emphasizing the importance of press freedom in any democratic society.

Meanwhile, thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets for a seventh consecutive night following the arrest of Mayor Imamoglu. The opposition figure, widely seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival, was detained on corruption charges that he strongly denies. His party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has selected him as its candidate for the 2028 presidential election.

The protests have led to more than 1,400 detentions, including students, journalists, and lawyers. The Turkish government insists the judiciary is acting independently, while critics argue Imamoglu’s arrest is politically motivated.

President Erdogan has dismissed the demonstrations as “evil,” blaming the opposition for destabilizing the country. Speaking at a Ramadan fast-breaking meal in Ankara, he urged patience, warning that those attempting to “turn this country into a place of chaos have nowhere to go.”

Despite bans on protests and road closures, demonstrations continue. On Tuesday, thousands of university students gathered in Istanbul’s Maçka Park before marching through Şişli, chanting calls for the government’s resignation. Riot police closely monitored the rally as protesters covered their faces to avoid identification.

The crackdown has extended to media professionals. Several journalists, including a photojournalist from Agence France-Presse (AFP) and multiple Turkish reporters, have been detained. While some were released on Thursday morning, the arrests have sparked international condemnation.

AFP chairman Fabrice Fries has formally requested President Erdogan’s intervention in the case of AFP photographer Yasin Akgül, who was detained while covering the demonstrations. Fries described the arrest as “unacceptable,” emphasizing that Akgül was merely doing his job.

Internationally, the U.S. has voiced concerns over the political situation in Turkey. Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised the issue during a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to press freedom and democratic principles.

Despite the heavy police presence, Turkey’s main opposition party remains defiant. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel has called for a massive rally in Istanbul on Saturday to protest Imamoglu’s arrest and demand fair legal proceedings.

“Are you ready for a big rally in a large square in Istanbul on Saturday?” Ozel asked demonstrators. “We will stand against the detention of our mayors and demand transparent, open, and live-broadcast trials. We have had enough and want early elections.”

While Imamoglu’s arrest does not immediately bar him from running for president, a conviction would disqualify him. Many view him as the most formidable challenger to Erdogan, who has held power for 22 years.

With Erdogan’s term expiring in 2028 and constitutional limits preventing him from seeking re-election, speculation is growing over whether he will attempt to amend the law or call an early vote. The Turkish Ministry of Justice, however, insists the government is not interfering in the legal process

Source: BBC