Finnish author deported from Turkey for ‘terror links’

VAN – Doğan News Agency

A Finnish author is set to be deported from Turkey after being detained in the eastern province of Van for alleged “links to terrorism.”

Taina Niemela was taken to the police deportation center on April 28 after an investigation opened upon claims that she attended a funeral of terrorist group members. 

Niemela’s deportation comes shortly after Turkish authorities denied the entry of two foreign journalists after they landed at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport. 

U.S. journalist David Lepeska, who has worked in Turkey for the Guardian, the Atlantic and Al Jazeera, was denied entry on April 25 and was sent back to Chicago from Atatürk Airport.

Less than week before, on April 19, the authorities deported a German reporter on the grounds that he was previously banned from entering the country.

Volker Schwenck, a reporter for German State Television (ARD), was detained by Turkish police following his arrival from Cairo to Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport. He had been due to interview refugees on Turkey’s border with Syria.