  Berlin "asks in" Turkish ambassador over reporter's jailing March 1, 2017 - 10:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Germany's foreign ministry on Tuesday, February 28 called in Turkey's ambassador to protest Ankara's provisional detention of a German journalist on terrorism-related charges, AFP reports. The ministry initially said on Twitter that State Secretary Walter Lindner had "summoned" the ambassador of Turkey, before clarifying that the envoy was "asked in". "It was not a formal summons, the Turkish envoy was asked in for talks," it said in a second tweet. The talks came after a court in Istanbul on Monday ordered provisional detention for Deniz Yucel, 43, a correspondent of the German newspaper Die Welt. Yucel, who holds dual Turkish and German nationality, had been held since February 18 in connection with news reports on an attack by hackers against the email account of Turkey's energy minister. His employer said he had been charged with spreading terrorist propaganda and inciting hatred. Deploring Ankara's treatment of Yucel, German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said the case "made it very clear that there are major differences in Germany and Turkey ... in how the principles of the rule of law and how press and media freedom is evaluated". He added the Turkish envoy was told that "these times are less than easy for Turkish-German relations, and that the Yucel case would only make everything harder". Urging the release of Yucel, Gabriel said Berlin has also demanded full consular access to the journalist. Relations between Berlin and Ankara have been strained by a series of disputes since the failed coup aiming to oust Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July 2016. Germany has been a vocal critic of Ankara's massive crackdown following the putsch, in which some 43,000 people were arrested, and 100,000 fired or suspended. Turkey has also clamped down on the press, arresting hundreds of journalists without trial. About 170 media outlets have been closed and nearly 800 press cards cancelled, according to journalists' associations. The Yucel case has sparked an outcry in Germany, with Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday calling the Istanbul court's decision "bitter and disappointing". Some 166 lawmakers in Germany's lower house of parliament last week also wrote an open letter calling for Yucel's release. Photo. AFP/John MACDOUGALL   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Up to 1% cashback when shopping on Wildberries with IDBank cards  IDBank is launching an exclusive campaign on Wildberries for online shopping enthusiasts.Pasadena to host Armenian Genocide commemoration event The Pasadena Armenian Coalition will host its community-wide Armenian Genocide Commemorative Event.Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party.Former Pashinyan envoy urges end to Genocide speculation Marukyan has urged authorities in Armenia stop discussions about verifying the names of 1.5 million victims. |
