BBC journalist arrested, deported from Turkey after covering protests

He was accused of ‘being a threat to public order’

BBC journalist Mark Lowen has been deported from Turkey after being arrested and detained for about 17 hours, the organisation has confirmed.

Turkish authorities removed Mr Lowen from his hotel on Wednesday, following his coverage of recent anti-government protests.

The demonstrations reignited on Thursday, with police employing pepper spray, rubber bullets, and water cannon against protestors.

Mr Lowen was deported from Istanbul on Thursday morning.

He was accused of "being a threat to public order", according to the BBC.

He had been in the country specifically to report on the escalating political tensions and demonstrations.

Mr 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.”

The biggest anti-government protests for more than a decade began last week following the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival to Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Protesters say Mr Imamoglu's arrest was politically motivated – an allegation the country’s justice ministry denies.

The demonstrations had become calmer in recent days, after more than 1,000 people were detained in the past week over the protests, according to the government.

More than 1,000 people were arrested over the protests in one week (AP)

Mr Erdogan has called the demonstrations “evil”, blaming the opposition for “disturbing the peace”.

The Media and Law Studies Association said eight journalists who were jailed awaiting trial after covering the protests have been released.

BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness said: “This is an extremely troubling incident and we will be making representations to the Turkish authorities.

“Mark is a very experienced correspondent with a deep knowledge of Turkey and no journalist should face this kind of treatment simply for doing their job.

“We will continue to report impartially and fairly on events in Turkey.”