Chancellor Angela Merkel considers the decision to remand the German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yücel in custody disproportionately harsh. The German government expects the Turkish judiciary to take into account the high value of freedom of the press for every democratic society when it deals with the case, she said.
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After 13 days in police detention, an Istanbul judge ordered on Monday evening that the German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yücel be remanded in custody.
Chancellor Angela Merkel described the news as "bitter and disappointing". The step, she said, is disproportionately harsh, especially in view of the fact that Deniz Yücel handed himself in to the Turkish authorities and has stated his readiness to cooperate fully with investigations.
"The German government expects the Turkish judiciary to take into account the high value of the freedom of the press for every democratic society," said Angela Merkel. The German government will continue to push hard for fair treatment of Deniz Yücel in line with the rule of law, and hopes to see him released again soon.
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Sigmar Gabriel also said that the decision was far too severe and therefore disproportionate. He said, neither does it take into account freedom of the press and freedom of opinion, which are precious commodities in every democracy, nor does it take account of the fact that Deniz Yücel handed himself in to the Turkish authorities and has stated his readiness to cooperate fully. "We are determined to do everything we can to ensure that Deniz Yücel is set free soon and that the matter ends well," said the minister.
Federal Minister of Justice Heiko Maas has termed the treatment of Deniz Yücel "absolutely disproportionate". Critical reporting, he said, is a fundamental and integral part of the democratic development of informed opinion. "Locking up journalists who make themselves unpopular is not reconcilable with our understanding of the rule of law and freedom of the press," he declared.
The German government demanded fair treatment for Deniz Yücel, in line with the rule of law, during his time in police detention.
The Federal Foreign Office is in close contact with Deniz Yücel, stressed Federal Foreign Office spokesperson Martin Schäfer on Friday 24 February. "We hope to see a decision that takes appropriate account of the freedom of the press and freedom of opinion."
On 18 February, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Chancellor Angela Merkel urged the Turkish government to assure fair treatment of the journalist. Federal government spokesperson Steffen Seibert said that Angela Merkel had discussed the case in depth when she met Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım.
Angela Merkel, he reported, had pointed out how important it is for Deniz Yücel to receive the full support of the German consular service. "The Chancellor expressed the expectation of the German government that Deniz Yücel will be treated fairly, in line with the rule of law."