Turkey says Russian journalists deported for lack of legal documents, intention of meeting terrorist leader in Syria
Four journalists from the Russian media were detained and deported by Turkish authorities for their intention to cross the Turkish border into Syria illegally, security sources said on Saturday.
Turkey's border security units detained four personnel of Russian Channel One TV in the Turkish border province of Hatay while trying to enter Syria without legal permission on December 7.
The channel correspondents claimed that they were filming an episode of the state-owned channel's program “Special Correspondent” but the Turkish authorities said they did not have official permission to film inside Turkey.
According to Turkish law, a foreign correspondent must apply to the Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information (BAYGEM) for official accreditation to work in Turkey, providing a detailed itinerary and details of prospective interviewees. The Russian journalists were filming on the border line such permission and trying to cross the border.
Security sources said the Russian correspondents were planning to meet Mihraç Ural, the lead of the Syrian Resistance terrorist organization, in the Syrian coastal city of Latakia. After visiting Istanbul and Ankara Turkish nationals made contact with Ural last Saturday and headed to Hatay border for crossing into Syria.
Russian media claimed the incident was a restriction against freedom of media but Turkey argued that the Russian citizens had not been interrupted until their intent to cross the border illegally became known.
After escalating armed-conflict inside Syria as well as foreign fighters flow to the country, Turkey has increased security measures along its border with Syria.
Security forces have detained and deported thousands of foreign fighters trying to cross the border to join terrorist groups in Syria.
Turkish authority said the latest detention and deportation was a part of routine security procedures.
