OSCE Representative commented on journalist’s deportation from Turkey

The deportation of journalist Mahir Zeynalov for his critical writing is a further setback for the dire state of media freedom in Turkey, Dunja Mijatović, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media said today.

“Zeynalov is deported for tweets considered inappropriate by the authorities. Freedom of expression does not stop at statements deemed proper by those in power, and limiting this right will further tighten the control of media in Turkey”, Mijatović said

According to media reports, Zeynalov, an Azerbaijani national and journalist at the Turkish daily Today’s Zaman, was banned from entering Turkey on 4 February. The Prime Ministry’s Co-ordination Center said that Zeynalov made false statements in two of his tweets at the end of December, and they accuse him of inciting hatred and animosity. The journalist insists that he had only retweeted links of news reports, without including opinion or criticism.

“The deportation and the criminal charges Zeynalov faces for libel are disproportionate sanctions. I hope that Zeynalov will be immediately released and the charges against him will be dropped,” Mijatović said.

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