Dutch journalist questioned in Turkey for several hours
A Dutch journalist was picked up by police in Turkey on Tuesday for several hours, saying the charge was ‘propaganda for a terrorist organisation’.
Initial reports said Frederike Geerdink had been arrested but she said later on Twitter she had not been ‘taken into custody’. ‘8 folks strong armed terrorism squad at door very intimidating,’ Geerdink said in English.
The foreign affairs ministry told website nu.nl that Geerdink had been in contact with the Dutch consulate in Istanbul. ‘It is very worrying if journalists are arrested,’ a ministry spokesman told the website. ‘This puts pressures on the freedom of the press.’
Geerdink works for NRC.next, de Groene Amsterdammer, radio programme Dichtbij Nederland and the Muslim broadcaster Moslimomroep. She has been outspoken on Kurdish matters, nu.nl says.
MPs have asked foreign minister Bert Koenders to find out what happened. Koenders is currently visiting Turkey. Koenders has already said he is shocked by the arrest and will raise it with his Turkish counterpart.
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