US journalist says he was denied entry into Turkey

A Turkey-based American journalist says he was denied reentry at Istanbul Ataturk Airport and is returning to the United States.

“I’ve been given no reason for the entry ban, nor confirmation that this status is lasting or permanent,” David Lepeska, who has written for Foreign Affairs and Al Jazeera America, tells The Associated Press.

Lepeska arrived in Turkey from Italy on Sunday evening after a family vacation.

On arrival he was informed that there was an entry ban on his visa and that he would need to wait for clearance from Ankara to re-enter the country.

After nearly 20 hours of waiting, Lepeska says, he decided such clearance “probably wasn’t forthcoming” and booked a flight to Chicago.

On his Instagram account, he writes, “This is not the last I will see of you, Turkey.”

There is no immediate comment from Turkey’s Interior or Foreign Ministries on his situation.

Lepeska is one of several foreign journalists who have been detained, denied entry or expelled from Turkey.

Turkey’s government is cracking down on critical media and dissenting voices, raising concerns in a country once seen as a model of Muslim democracy.

— AP