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January 21, 2026 – France/Turkey –
French journalist Raphaël Boukandoura was released without charge on January 21, 2026, after being detained by Turkish police earlier in the week while covering a pro-Kurdish protest in Istanbul, his lawyer and multiple news agencies reported. The case drew widespread attention from rights groups and the French government amid concerns about press freedom and the treatment of foreign correspondents in Turkey.
Boukandoura, 35, who works for several French outlets including Libération and Courrier International, was arrested on January 19 while reporting on a demonstration organised by the Pro-Kurdish People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in the Sancaktepe district. Police broke up the rally — called in protest against a Syrian government offensive that has drawn criticism from Kurdish advocates — and detained around 10 people, including the journalist, despite his presentation of an official press card and longstanding residence in Turkey.
Following his arrest, Boukandoura was transferred to a migrant detention centre near Istanbul’s Arnavutköy district and faced the possibility of deportation to France, according to statements from his lawyer, Emine Özhasar. Turkish authorities reportedly scrutinised his presence at the protest and questioned him about slogans chanted at the event. French and international press freedom advocates quickly condemned the detention and raised diplomatic concerns.
Boukandoura’s release came two days after his arrest, shortly before he was expected to appear in court, as confirmed by AFP reporting. It remained unclear immediately whether all potential legal actions or deportation procedures had been formally dropped. Upon release, Boukandoura told reporters he was “on my way home,” signalling an abrupt end to the brief detention.
The French foreign ministry had earlier intervened diplomatically, with officials urging Turkish authorities to secure his rapid release and reaffirming the importance of press protections — especially for accredited journalists carrying out reporting assignments abroad. Rights groups such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also criticised the arrest, describing the threat of deportation against a legally accredited journalist as “a serious attack on press freedom.”
The incident adds to ongoing concerns about the treatment of journalists covering politically sensitive issues in Turkey, where authorities have at times detained reporters during protests and tightly regulated demonstrations linked to Kurdish rights and other contentious topics.
Overall, Boukandoura’s release was welcomed by media freedom advocates and foreign ministry officials, though the broader implications for press freedom and correspondent safety in Turkey continue to be debated.
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[UPDATE] French journalist detained in İstanbul during protests released
