French photojournalist detained in Turkey declares hunger strike
A French journalist who has been detained in Turkey for over two weeks has begun a hunger strike in protest.
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Photographer Mathias Depardon was detained while working on a for National Geographic magazine in Hasankeyf in the south-eastern Batman province.
After his initial detention, Depardon was transferred to a centre run by Turkey's immigration department where he remains, despite a deportation order issued on 11 May.
A French diplomatic source says Turkish authorities have not replied to requests for consular access or telephone contact.
The Press freedom group Reporters without Borders (RSF) say Depardon is on the third day without food.
The situation is now "very very serious", Johann Bihr of RSF told RFI.
The Turkish authorities are responsible for Depardon's life, he said, and called on them to "put an end immediately to this nightmare".
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