The court has decided to wait for the return of the letter rogatory sent to the Swedish judicial authorities in order to obtain Medin's defense. The trial was postponed until January

CANSU PİŞKİN

The first hearing in the trial of Joakim Medin, foreign correspondent for the Swedish newspaper Dagens ETC, on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “terrorism propaganda” over his journalistic activities in Sweden was held at the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court on 25 September 2025.

Medin's lawyers were present at the hearing, which was monitored by P24. The hearing was observed by a large number of people, including Swedish Consul General Karin Hernmarck, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Turkey Representative Erol Önderoğlu, and Turkish Journalists' Union (TGS) President Gökhan Durmuş.

Medin's lawyer, Veysel Ok, requested that the court wait for a response to the letter rogatory sent to the Swedish judicial authorities so that his client, who lives in Sweden, could be defended. Ok also requested the return of Medin's confiscated digital materials.

The court decided to wait for the response to the letter rogatory written about Medin and to summon the digital materials reported in the file from the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The trial was postponed until 8 January 2026.

Background of the case

Joakim Medin, foreign correspondent for the Swedish newspaper Dagens ETC, arrived in Turkey on 27 March 2025, to cover protests against the arrest and imprisonment of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

Shortly after landing in Istanbul, Medin was detained at the airport and sent to pre-trial detention on 28 March 28 on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “insulting the president.”

The charges against Medin were based on an investigation launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in 2023. The basis for the investigation against Medin was his participation in a demonstration held in protest of Erdoğan in Stockholm during discussions about Sweden's NATO accession process and the new immigration law prepared in connection with it, as well as his reporting on the events.

After his imprisonment, two separate indictments were filed against Medin on charges of “insulting the president” and “membership in a terrorist organization.” The indictment for “insulting the president” was accepted by the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. Appearing before the judge on 30 April 2025, Medin was sentenced to 11 months and 20 days in prison for “insulting the president.” Along with the verdict, the court also decided to release Medin. However, the journalist remained in custody as part of the case opened on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization.”

The indictment filed on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” was sent to Istanbul following a decision of lack of jurisdiction by the Ankara 17th High Criminal Court.

The indictment was accepted by the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court. The court decided to release the journalist upon the request of Medin's lawyers.

Medin, who was released from Silivri Prison on 16 May, left Turkey.