BBC Correspondent Mark Lowen Deported from Turkey Amid Protests

The BBC confirmed that correspondent Mark Lowen was deported after being detained while covering protests related to Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's arrest. The incident raises questions about press freedom in Turkey amidst ongoing political turmoil.

BBC correspondent Mark Lowen has been deported from Turkey following his arrest in Istanbul on Wednesday, according to a statement from the BBC. Lowen had traveled to Turkey to report on the widespread protests ignited by the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu last week.

Imamoglu, held on corruption charges he denies, is perceived as a significant political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and has been named the presidential candidate for the 2028 election by his party. On Thursday, the BBC reported that Turkish authorities deported Lowen after detaining him at a hotel for 17 hours the previous day. He was given a notice stating that he was being deported for "being a threat to public order."

Expressing his distress, Lowen stated, "To be detained and deported from the country where I previously lived for five years has been extremely distressing. Press freedom and impartial reporting are fundamental to any democracy." BBC's News CEO, Deborah Turness, called the incident "extremely troubling" and vowed that the network would engage with Turkish authorities to address the matter.

Emma Sinclair-Webb, Turkey Director of Human Rights Watch, expressed her shock regarding the deportation, which she claimed sends a warning to international media about Turkey's stance on reporting unfavorable news. Amidst rising unrest, thousands of protesters have been detained, with claims that Imamoglu's detention is politically motivated. Despite claims of judicial independence from the justice ministry, nationwide protests continue, reflecting widespread discontent.

President Erdogan has condemned the protests as "evil," attributing blame to the opposition for inciting unrest. The demonstrations have somewhat subsided, but the main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), is mobilizing a rally in Istanbul for Saturday, signaling continued tensions in the country.