The EU Parliament demands that Swedish journalist be acquitted

Strasbourg – The EU Parliament condemns Turkey’s arrest of Joakim Medin with an overwhelming majority and demands his immediate release.

With 569 votes in favor, 4 against, and 41 abstentions, the nearly unanimous EU Parliament passed the condemnation on Wednesday afternoon in Strasbourg.

Swedish Left Party member Jonas Sjöstedt says that the strong support behind the condemnation is extremely unusual.

“This is a clear signal to Turkey that this is now a matter between the EU and Turkey, and Joakim Medin must be freed now.”

A united EU makes it harder for Turkey to ignore the demands, according to the Social Democrats’ Evin Incir.

However, it has no concrete consequences for Turkey.

On Wednesday, Swedish parliamentarians from the Social Democrats, Left Party, and Green Party also took the initiative to send a letter to the EU’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, demanding that the Commission and EU member states act to secure Medin’s release. The letter has been sent out to other Swedish members for signature before it is forwarded to Kallas.

The journalist was arrested at the end of March after traveling to the country to report on extensive protests. He has been sentenced to probation in an initial charge of insult. More charges are pending, and he remains imprisoned.

(May 7)