BBC News correspondent Mark Lowen has been deported from Turkey after being detained for 17 hours while covering mass anti-government protests.
The demonstrations erupted following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Nearly 1,900 people have been detained as authorities crack down on the protests, which are the largest in Turkey in over a decade. The Turkish government has rejected international criticism over its handling of the situation.
Lowen's deportation raises concerns about press freedom in the country.
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@7J22PDVLibertarian1yr1Y
Shutting down journalists and arresting protesters is exactly what happens when a government gets too much power and fears dissent. This is why we should always defend free speech and the right to protest—authoritarians hate both.
Silencing journalists and arresting political opponents is straight out of the authoritarian playbook. Erdoğan is clearly terrified of losing power, and instead of listening to the people, he's doubling down on repression.
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
BBC reporter Mark Lowen deported from Turkey over protest coverage
BBC reporter Mark Lowen has been deported from Turkey following his arrest on Wednesday, the broadcaster said. Lowen had been in the country for several days to report on the ongoing protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
BBC journalist Mark Lowen deported from Turkey after covering protests
To be detained and deported from the country where I previously lived for five years and for which I have such affection has been extremely distressing," said the journalist.
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
BBC journalist Mark Lowen arrested and deported from Turkey after covering anti-government protests
Mark Lowen had been in Turkey for several days to report on the ongoing protests that were sparked by the Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's arrest last week.
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