US journalist says he was denied entry into Turkey

ISTANBUL – A Turkey-based American journalist says he was denied re-entry at Istanbul Ataturk Airport and put on a flight to Chicago.

David Lepeska, who has written for Foreign Affairs and Al Jazeera America, told The Associated Press he was given "no reason" for the decision. He spent several hours at the airport before being put on a Chicago-bound flight. On his Instagram account, he wrote "this is not the last I will see of you, Turkey."

There was 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.