Muhammed Emin Yildirim, one of 31 Turkish citizens barred from entering Azerbaijan on Oct. 21, has been detained by police in Istanbul, according to the media organization he represents. Turkish authorities have not publicly announced the reason for the detention.
Yildirim represents Köklü Değişim Medya in Istanbul. The organization said on social media that Istanbul police detained him over his online posts and that his lawyer was monitoring the case. The allegation about the reason for the detention remains the organization’s account because law enforcement has not disclosed the grounds or scope of the investigation.
The detention was also reported by Cumhuriyet.
Connection to Baku’s Entry Ban
Yildirim is among 31 Turkish citizens whom Azerbaijan declared ineligible to enter the country. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said the Oct. 21 decision followed an assessment of public statements and online posts that it considered directed against the country’s sovereignty, national security and constitutional order.
Baku also cited calls for the violent overthrow of the government, religious radicalism and incitement of hatred. The 31-person list includes journalists, politicians, academics and writers.
There is no public evidence that Yildirim was detained at Azerbaijan’s request or that the detention was directly caused by the Azerbaijani entry ban.
Originally published in Russian by Vesti Baku.