BBC Journalist Mark Lowen Deported from Turkiye Amid Protests

BBC journalist Mark Lowen has been detained and deported from Turkiye while covering the ongoing mass protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the country’s most prominent opposition leader.

Lowen, who had previously lived in Turkiye for five years, was arrested at his Istanbul hotel and held for 17 hours before receiving a deportation notice labeling him a “threat to public order.”

BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness called the move “extremely troubling,” vowing to raise the issue with Turkish authorities.

“No journalist should face this kind of treatment simply for doing their job,” she stated.

Lowen described his deportation as “extremely distressing,” emphasizing that press freedom is essential for democracy.

Turkiye’s media regulator, RTUK, has also imposed fines and sanctions on four opposition-aligned broadcasters—SZC TV, Tele1, Halk TV, and NOW TV—for their coverage of Imamoglu’s arrest.

SZC TV has been ordered to suspend broadcasts for 10 days, with officials warning that further violations could lead to a revocation of its license.

Meanwhile, police have detained nearly 1,900 people over the past week as protests continue across major cities. The Interior Ministry reported that over 150 officers have been injured during clashes.

On Thursday, riot police used pepper spray, plastic pellets, and water cannons to disperse protesters in Istanbul, with videos showing opposition lawmakers among those affected.

Despite the heavy-handed response, demonstrations remain ongoing, with protesters calling for Imamoglu’s release and condemning government repression.