ADVERTISEMENT

Turkish PM says 'hopes' German journalist freed soon

Speaking to German public broadcaster ARD, Yildirim insisted that Turkish courts are independent but said: "I hope he will soon be set free."

According to a transcript of the interview to be aired in the evening, he added: "I believe there will be a development shortly."

The incarceration of the Die Welt daily correspondent has been the biggest stumbling block to rebuilding badly damaged ties between the governments of Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Germany, home to a three-million-strong ethnic Turkish minority, has strongly criticised Erdogan's rights record, especially after a mass crackdown in response to a failed coup against him in July 2016.

ADVERTISEMENT

Many German newspapers marked Yucel's first full year in custody without charge with frontpage stories Wednesday, when the #FreeDeniz campaign held a major solidarity event in Berlin.

Supporters of Yucel and other jailed reporters drove through central Berlin in a loudly honking motorcade of several dozen cars and bicycles, decorated with red heart-shaped balloons, joined by a bus of rights group Amnesty International.

'Strained relations'

Yucel, 44, appearing unbowed by his time behind bars, has written a book entitled "We're Not Here for Fun" which was to be launched at a star-studded reading in the German capital from 1900 GMT.

No formal charges have been laid, and no trial date has been set for Yucel, whom Turkish leaders have accused of "terrorist propaganda".

ADVERTISEMENT

Yucel gave himself up to police on February 14, 2017 after initially taking refuge inside a German diplomatic compound in Istanbul when media reported an arrest warrant had been issued against him. He has been in custody ever since.

Die Welt reacted to Yildirim's stated hope that Yucel would soon be released from custody, with a journalist commenting that "here we really have something in common".

Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert reiterated Monday that the cases of Yucel and other Germans behind bars in Turkey for political reasons "put a strain on relations between Germany and Turkey".

"The chancellor has stated very clearly over the past year that we expect Turkey to release German citizens who are being detained for unjustifiable reasons," he said. "Deniz Yucel is the most prominent among them."

"We are doing everything we can, politically, diplomatically, to see an improvement in this case."

ADVERTISEMENT

Relations between the NATO partners have recently started to recover from their deep crisis, in which Berlin last year advised German investors and holiday-makers to avoid the country, after Turkey released several German citizens.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said Wednesday that, after he had repeatedly discussed the Yucel case with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, he hoped for "a positive decision soon by the independent Turkish court".

Yildirim, ahead of his meeting with Merkel on Thursday, said in the ARD interview that the two countries "should turn over a new page, forget the past, look to the future and further build up our relationship".

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Obama, Clinton support Biden at NYC fundraiser amid protests

Obama, Clinton support Biden at NYC fundraiser amid protests

Tinubu’s refusal to celebrate 72nd birthday marks great leadership - Rahman

Tinubu’s refusal to celebrate 72nd birthday marks great leadership - Rahman

Adamawa Police reaffirms ban on motorcycles in Yola

Adamawa Police reaffirms ban on motorcycles in Yola

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

Tinubu appoints Bello as chairman of code of conduct bureau

Tinubu appoints Bello as chairman of code of conduct bureau

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT