Finn Writer Taina Niemela to be Deported

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Finn writer Taina Niemela residing in Van has been detained over “espionage activities” allegation. Niemela whose prosecution interrogation has been completed was decided to be deported.

According to the report of Burcu Karakaş from Diken, Niemela who is also a member of Finn Journalists Union was taken into custody by Anti-Terror Branch units on April 26 in Van on charges of “espionage activities” and “acting for PKK/KCK”. The writer was asked of why she lives in Van and what she knows about PKK, PYD, and KCK.

Niemela said she has been in Van for a year and writing a book, upon that she was asked the following question:

“You’ve stated that you’ve come on purpose of writing book. However, authorship can be practiced in other countries as well, why have you chosen our country and province of Van”.

Niemala stating she is writing a travel book has been sent to prosecution. The writer has been sent to Repatriation Center to be deported.

Attorney Kaçan: We are turning into North Korea

Niemala’s attorney Mahmut Kaçan drew attention to incoherence in the decision. Kaçan noting someone accused of espionage should be arrested said, “The effort to deport her shows that an unlawful justification is being generated”.

“We can say that we are on the way to turn into North Korea. There is no solid act or crime attributed to my client. A person accused of espionage is expected to get arrested. However, the effort to deport her shows that an unlawful justification is being generated”.

Earlier, Dutch journalist residing in Diyarbakır, Frederike Geerdink was deported on the ground of “terror propaganda”.

CLICK - RSF REPRESENTATIVE: JOURNALISM BEING CRIMINALIZED

Four journalists denied in one month

Niemala is the fifth person who has been deported or entrance to Turkey denied.

Freelance journalist David Lepeska making reports for international media outlets such as the Guardian, Al Jazeera, Foreign Affairs was denied in Atatürk Airport on April 25 and sent back to Chicago.

Greek photo journalist Giorgos Moutafis working for Bild, Reuters, Time, Al Jazeera, Newsweek, and CNN wasn’t let in Turkey on April 23.

Sputnik General Directorate of Turkey, Tural Kerimov was denied entrance to Turkey on April 20. Kerimov’s press card and residence permit have also been seized.

ARD’s Cairo bureau executive Volker Schwenck was deported on April 19 by being handed a document named “Entry ban”.

Vice Prime Minister, Numan Kurtulmuş as to the matter had made the explanation that, “One of the journalists deported yesterday was in fact not an accredited journalist in Turkey. Security motives are being brought forward for each of these instances. Such decisions are being taken within frame of security motives”. (EA/TK)