Loup Bureau, French journalist freed from Turkey, arrives home

PARIS - Agence France-Presse

French reporter Loup Bureau, who had been held on “terror” charges in Turkey in a case that sparked tensions between Ankara and France, arrived in Paris on Sept. 17 after being freed.

Bureau, 27, arrived onboard an Air France jet at Charles de Gaulle Airport on a flight from Istanbul, the campaign group Reporters without Borders (RSF) said in a tweet.

After his arrival, he was taken to a VIP suite where he was effusively greeted by his family and friends. Culture Minister Francoise Nyssen was also there to welcome him.

“I am very relieved to be back,” Bureau said.

French President Emmanuelle Macron reportedly spoke to Bureau on the phone, expressing his welcome wishes. 

Bureau, a journalism student who has worked with the television channels TV5 and Arte and the website Slate, was detained on July 26 at the Habur border post in southeastern province of Şırnak province on the border with Iraq.

He was charged with membership of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG).

Bureau’s arrest spurred a high-profile campaign in France for his release. 

His release was eventually announced on Sept. 15 after French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian visited Ankara and lobbied on his behalf.