The joint statement was made by the RSF, International Journalists Federation (FIJ), Belgium Professional Journalists Association (AJP) and 19 media organs, among which are Liberation, Humanité, Le Figaro, Express, Le Monde, Der Spiegel, National Geographic and The Sunday Times Magazine.

The organizations and media organs called on the Turkish authorities and demanded immediate release of Depardon. The 37 year old French photographer has lived and worked in Turkey for 5 years and is now accused by the Turkish judiciary with engaging in PKK propaganda over social media.

RSF issued another statement and said: “The authorities had no reason to arrest Mathias Depardon. It is incomprehensible and unacceptable that his detention was extended, despite the verdict for his deportation a week ago.”