Just to clarify for all the friends and followers of this page, and all those who supported me during the difficulties in Turkey; let me clarify exactly what happened and why.
On March 2, I travelled to Spain to meet with Radha Stirling, and I was stopped at border control in Spain because the US had flagged my passport, identifying me as a potential security threat, for reasons that are entirely mistaken. When Spanish authorities called the US, they were told that there is no issue with me; no case, no charges, etc; just I am a person about which they have concerns basically.
Spain decided to deport me back to Turkey. I was held overnight, and sent back to Turkey the next day. When I arrived in Istanbul, the authorities asked Spain why I was deported, and were told about the alert on my passport (which apparently only appears on certain countries’ databases); and the Turks said I could not re-enter the country. I was arrested and informed that I would be deported to the US. I objected and said I could buy a ticket to go elsewhere, because I already knew the US did not want me to come back, as I had been told in 2013.
The US Consulate and the FBI visited me at the police station, and informed the authorities that there is no problem with me, and requested that I be allowed to fly wherever I wanted to go, and I requested Malaysia.
But basically, when Turkey knew about the alert, they didn’t know what to do, so they treated me as if I actually AM a risk. The authorities in Istanbul did not want to take responsibility for what to do about me, so I was eventually transferred to a foreigners’ immigration detention center in Izmir, where the manager of the facility has the authority to make the determination about what action to take.
On the first Monday after my arrival in Izmir, I met the manager and was told I could go anywhere I wanted as long as I could buy the ticket. I was then approved to fly to Malaysia, my lawyers bought the ticket, and I travelled without incident late Friday night at the end of 3 weeks of detention.
We are now pursuing the removal of the security alert on my passport, as it is entirely unjustified; I have never called for violence, have condemned terrorism, and oppose extremism in my writing. But the problem appears to be based on inaccurate and irresponsible media reports about me, not on what I actually say and do. We are working to correct this mistake, insha’Allah.
Jazakum Allahu khayran to everyone for your support and help during the past 3 weeks. Bless you all.