Swedish Journalist to Apply to ECHR on Turkey

Sarah Olsson, a journalist from Sweden who was detained and deported by Turkish police for insulting PM during a solidarity event for Lice incident, said she will file a complaint to ECHR. 

“I won’t walk away from this case as Turkey restricted my freedom. I will file a complaint and seek justice,” Olsson told Swedish TV Channel Expressen.

“I was in Taksim Square. I started snapping photos as I saw protestors. Police broke up the protest. They were firing rubber bullets. When I let go off my friend’s hand, police pushed me down and detained me in front of every body. I spent three days on detention. I won’t walk away from this case as Turkey restricted my freedom. I will file a complaint and seek justice.

“As soon as I arrive home, I will tell to the world how Turkish government treats its citizens as well foreign tourists. They banned my re-entry to Turkey for one year, but I will come back to Turkey disregarding the penalty. During the detention, my family and friends worried about me. The government will pay for this.” 

Burak Mengü, Olsson’s lawyer, said his client was detained for insulting PM Erdoğan and the court released her as she didn’t speak Turkish. He also added that Olsson was restricted from using lavatories and drinking water during her detention. 

“We will take this case to ECHR,” he said. (EA/BM)