Lowen's deportation follows his arrest during protests against the imprisonment of Istanbul's Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, which has drawn international attention and criticism over Turkey's stance on media freedom.
**BBC Reporter Mark Lowen Deported from Turkey Amid Ongoing Protests**
**BBC Reporter Mark Lowen Deported from Turkey Amid Ongoing Protests**
In a significant incident highlighting press freedom concerns, BBC correspondent Mark Lowen has been deported from Turkey after covering political unrest.
BBC correspondent Mark Lowen's recent experiences in Turkey have sparked renewed discussions about media freedom and governmental response to dissent. After reporting on escalating protests in Istanbul due to the arrest of the city's Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, Lowen was taken from his hotel and detained for 17 hours before being deported.
Lowen's coverage shed light on the political turmoil surrounding Imamoglu, who has emerged as a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was detained on corruption charges that he claims are politically motivated. Imamoglu is viewed by many as a significant contender for the presidency in the upcoming 2028 election.
In an official announcement, the BBC confirmed that the Turkish government cited "threat to public order" as the reason for Lowen's deportation. He expressed deep distress over the incident, noting his long-standing connection to Turkey after living there for five years and emphasizing that press freedom is crucial for a thriving democracy.
Deborah Turness, the BBC's CEO of News, stated that the incident is troubling and underscored the need for journalists to perform their duties without fear. The reported deportation has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, with local director Emma Sinclair-Webb condemning the Turkish authorities for alarming actions against international media representatives.
As protests continue across Turkey and demonstrators voice their discontent with the government, the authorities insist on maintaining judicial independence. Notably, President Erdogan has criticized the protests and labeled them as "evil," blaming opposition parties for inciting unrest.
The atmosphere remains tense as the Republican People's Party, Turkey's main opposition group, has planned a major rally in Istanbul, aiming to mobilize support and raise awareness of the political situation in the country.
Lowen's coverage shed light on the political turmoil surrounding Imamoglu, who has emerged as a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was detained on corruption charges that he claims are politically motivated. Imamoglu is viewed by many as a significant contender for the presidency in the upcoming 2028 election.
In an official announcement, the BBC confirmed that the Turkish government cited "threat to public order" as the reason for Lowen's deportation. He expressed deep distress over the incident, noting his long-standing connection to Turkey after living there for five years and emphasizing that press freedom is crucial for a thriving democracy.
Deborah Turness, the BBC's CEO of News, stated that the incident is troubling and underscored the need for journalists to perform their duties without fear. The reported deportation has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, with local director Emma Sinclair-Webb condemning the Turkish authorities for alarming actions against international media representatives.
As protests continue across Turkey and demonstrators voice their discontent with the government, the authorities insist on maintaining judicial independence. Notably, President Erdogan has criticized the protests and labeled them as "evil," blaming opposition parties for inciting unrest.
The atmosphere remains tense as the Republican People's Party, Turkey's main opposition group, has planned a major rally in Istanbul, aiming to mobilize support and raise awareness of the political situation in the country.
