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German journalist Deniz Yücel freed from Turkish jail

Deniz Yücel, a German journalist who had been in jail in Turkey for a year, has been released from jail pending trial.

16.02.2018
Meinungsfreiheit: Deniz Yücel noch immer in Haft
© dpa

Deniz Yücel's lawyer, Veysel Ok, tweeted a picture of Yücel and his wife, Dilek Mayatürk, hugging in front of Istanbul's Silivri prison, suggesting that he has been released. Earlier, Germany's foreign ministry had confirmed a report in German daily Welt that he was set to walk free.

Deniz Yücel had been detained for a year without any charges brought against him. A German government spokesman said he was "relieved and glad" and thanked the Turkish judiciary. He pointed out that German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel had been "working intensively towards a solution" in his case. He also said there had not been any "dirty deals."

On Twitter, Gabriel thanked the Turkish government for its support in Yücel's case. He claimed that the "Turkish government always emphasized the importance of not influencing the court's decision" in talks with both President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavosoglu.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was "pleased" that Yücel "was able to leave jail today," but warned that there are many "other cases of people who are not as prominent," being detained in Turkey who should also have the right to a fair and speedy trial.

State-run news agency Anadolu reported that an Istanbul court had accepted charges brought by prosecutors, who are apparently seeking up to 18 years in prison for Yücel.

Yücel, who has both German and Turkish citizenship, is a correspondent for Welt. He had been accused of working for a terrorist organization.

Strained relations

At a meeting with Chancellor Merkel on Thursday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim had hinted that there was some "movement" in Yücel's case and that he hoped Yücel would be released soon.

Yücel's case as well as those of other detained journalists and activists has strained relations between Berlin and Ankara. Merkel called Yücel's case a "burden" on bilateral relations.

Speaking on DW TV, Jürgen Hardt, CDU foreign policy spokesman, stressed that the German government "didn't pay any political price and appreciates the efforts of the Turkish government."

He also said that he "hoped they [the government] will lift the state of emergency, which hinders the freedom of the press, and return to normal democratic structures."

Welt Editor-in-Chief Ulf Poschardt said on Twitter that his release was "the best news ever, we are so happy! Thanks to all supporters." The daily had earlier been informed of the release by Yücel's lawyer.

Last February, Yücel went to a police station for questioning about a report he wrote about the Turkish energy minister. He was arrested there and later accused of sedition and using "terrorist propaganda to incite the population."

There are currently six German and more than 100 Turkish journalists in Turkish prisons.

ng,es/kms (dpa, Reuters, KNA)