Activist arrest in Turkey highlights broader reality for Belgians behind bars abroad
Six European activists, including at least one Belgian, have been arrested in Istanbul after attempting to investigate detention conditions for political prisoners in Turkey. The arrests come as new figures show that 505 Belgians are currently incarcerated in foreign prisons worldwide.
According to their lawyer, Naim Eminoglu, who spoke to AFP on Friday, the delegation, which is made up of lawyers, journalists and human rights activists from Belgium, France, Spain, Italy and Russia, arrived in Turkey on Wednesday. They were detained on Thursday shortly after meeting a local law firm accused by the Turkish authorities of links to the DHKP-C, a far-left organisation designated as terrorist by Ankara.
The six were reportedly arrested almost immediately after their initial meetings and are facing immediate deportation. Their passports have been confiscated and they have been transferred to Istanbul airport, according to Eminoglu.
The group had travelled to Turkey to examine conditions in high-security prisons, where human rights organisations have long raised concerns about detainees being held in near-total isolation and without access to daylight.
505 Belgians in foreign prisons
The incident highlights the broader vulnerability of Belgians abroad. Figures from the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs show that, as of 17 February 2026, 505 Belgian nationals were incarcerated in foreign prisons. The true number may be higher, as Belgian authorities are not systematically informed of every detention or release.
Most Belgian detainees are held in neighbouring European countries, including France, Spain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, as well as Morocco. Since the beginning of this year alone, 42 new detentions have been recorded. By comparison, at least 489 Belgians were imprisoned abroad in August last year, and 504 in 2023.
© BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER
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