BBC correspondent Mark Lowen, who was following the protests that started after the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, was detained and deported.

 

Providing details on the issue in the news on its website, BBC stated that Lowen was detained on Wednesday and deported from Istanbul after being detained for 17 hours. According to the BBC, Lowen was notified in writing that he was deported on the grounds that he "being a threat to public order".

 

BBC News Director General Deborah Turness found the situation troubling and will be making representations to the Turkish authorities.

 

About the deportation, Mark Lowen said: "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. Press freedom and impartial reporting are fundamental to any democracy."