Malta Editor, NGO Staff Arrested in Turkey on ‘Terror’ Charges
In the heart of Istanbul, a stone’s throw from the bustling Istiklal Avenue, a small office hummed with activity. It was here, at the Malta-based Times of Malta‘s Istanbul bureau, that Editor-in-Chief Kurt Sansone and staff member Matthew Caruana Galizia found themselves, not just reporting the news, but unexpectedly becoming part of it.
Arrests in the Shadow of NATO
On the eve of the NATO summit in Brussels, where Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela was set to discuss security and defense, news broke that Sansone and Caruana Galizia had been arrested in Turkey. The charge? “Membership in a terrorist organization.” The alleged group? The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a designation Turkey has long insisted upon, despite international debate.
Malta’s Response: Silence or Support?
Back in Malta, the news through the local journalism community. While the Maltese government maintained a diplomatic silence, local NGOs and media outlets spoke out. The Institute of Journalists Malta (IJM) condemned the arrests, stating, “Journalism is not a crime.” The Malta Union of Journalists echoed this, calling for their immediate release.
Meanwhile, the Maltese public grappled with the news. In the narrow streets of Rabat, where the historic Mdina gate stands, locals discussed the arrests over espresso at Caffe Berkeley. “It’s a worry,” said one regular, “Malta’s always been about freedom, about welcoming people. This isn’t right.”
Turkey’s Press Freedom Record: A Complicated scene
Turkey’s press freedom record has been under scrutiny for years. According to Reporters Without Borders, Turkey is one of the world’s biggest prisons for journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that Turkey is the world’s worst jailer of journalists. The arrests of Sansone and Caruana Galizia add to this worrying trend.
Yet, the situation is complex. Turkey faces significant security challenges, and the PKK is designated a terrorist organization by the EU, the US, and others. The Maltese government’s silence may reflect this complexity, or it could be a strategic move, given Malta’s reliance on Turkey for migrant repatriation and tourism.
Regardless of the nuances, the arrests have raised concerns about press freedom, not just in Turkey, but also in Malta. As Malta prepares to take over the EU presidency in 2027, these issues will need to be addressed.
In the meantime, Malta’s journalism community remains vigilant. “We stand in solidarity with Kurt and Matthew,” said an IJM spokesperson. “We’ll keep fighting for press freedom, here and abroad.”
