A statement published on the Facebook page of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Margot Wallström said that “the Turkish Ambassador has once again been asked to come to the state department, and we have voiced our concerns and our demands regarding the detention of Swedes”.

The statement remarked that:

“I and the rest of the government have, for a long time, been clear to Turkish leaders with how we look at these cases and the very worrying developments in Turkey. We have emphasised that recent events have a direct impact on our relations with Turkey. I have also spoken to the German Foreign Minister, Mr Gabriel, about this.

We work very actively with Hamza Yalçın's case. Hamza Yalçın has been arrested in Spain following an international apb made by Turkey. I have spoken to the Spanish Minister for foreign affairs and said how important it is not to allow bolos to be used for political reasons. The Spanish authorities urgently need to examine the question.”

Wallström underlined that the Interpol Constitution is clear: the organisation must not be used for political reasons, saying: “Sweden will be clear in the EU and with Interpol that bolos should not be misused for political purposes. It is particularly serious in cases which risk influencing freedom of expression.”

Wallström also mentioned the arrest of Ali Gharavi who was in Turkey to participate in a peaceful seminar on human rights and is now charged with terrorism related operations, adding: “Turkey must release Gharavi unless the basis of the allegations can be clarified. We expect Turkey to urgently clarify the basis of the allegations.”

The statement by the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs stressed that: “Sweden will be active in the talks that the relationship between the EU and Turkey should be reviewed in response to Turkey's actions. In addition to the work of the deprived Swedes, our important and comprehensive support for Turkish organisations and actors for democracy and freedom of expression is also continuing.”