BBC correspondent Mark Lowen deported from Turkey: Accused of being a 'threat to public order'
During the protests that began following the detention of CHP presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, numerous journalists from national and international media outlets covered the events on the ground. Seven of the journalists performing their duties were detained on the grounds of photographs they took during the demonstrations. While the 7 detained journalists were released following their lawyers' appeals, it was reported that BBC correspondent Mark Lowen, who was covering the events, was deported.
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BBC correspondent Mark Lowen was deported after being detained in Istanbul. Authorities stated that Lowen was deported on the grounds that he posed a 'threat to public order.'
It was stated that Lowen was detained due to his coverage of the developments following the detention of İmamoğlu. Lowen, who was reporting on the events in Saraçhane for international media, was detained on the grounds of posing a threat to public order. In a statement issued by the BBC, it was noted that Lowen was held in detention for 17 hours before being deported.
BBC News CEO Deborah Turness reacted to the deportation decision, stating the following:
'This is a deeply concerning incident and we will be making representations to the Turkish authorities. Mark is a highly experienced correspondent with deep knowledge of Turkey, and no journalist should be treated in this way simply for doing their job. We will continue to report on events in Turkey in an impartial and fair manner.'
LOWEN EMPHASIZES PRESS FREEDOM
Turkish authorities have not yet made an official statement regarding the details of the deportation decision. It is known that Lowen previously worked as a correspondent in Turkey for five years and is a figure who knows the country well.
Lowen, who announced that he has arrived in London, opposed the deportation decision and expressed the following:
'It was extremely distressing to be detained and deported from a country where I previously lived for five years and which I love very much. Press freedom and impartial journalism are fundamental to every democracy.'