Last Thursday Turkey arrested another two German nationals. One of the two has since been released without conditions, reported Federal Foreign Office spokesperson Rainer Breul on Monday at the government press conference. Turkey has not yet granted consular access to the other German, who remains in prison. The Federal Foreign Office is working on this, assured Rainer Breul.

A total of 54 German nationals are currently being held in Turkish prisons; 11 of them on political grounds.

200 days of prison for Deniz Yücel

Last Friday (1 September) marked Deniz Yücel’s 200th day in a Turkish prison. "Our thoughts are with Deniz Yücel today, but not only today," government spokesperson Steffen Seibert declared. The German government is using every possible means to try to have the journalist released, Steffen Seibert continued. Since this has still not been achieved, the Federal Foreign Office is endeavouring to ensure that the German-Turkish journalist receives the best possible consular assistance. The German government is also working hard for the release of the other German nationals in Turkish prisons.

German government expects rule-of-law procedures

What the German government demands of Turkey is perfectly clear, declared Steffen Seibert. The Chancellor has also always said quite clearly, "We expect Turkey to release German nationals who have been arrested and imprisoned on grounds that cannot be understood."

Not only does Germany expect compliance with rule-of-law procedures. It also expects full compliance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, said Steffen Seibert. Violations, including the failure to inform the German side that German nationals have been arrested, or the failure to permit consular assistance, are completely unacceptable for the German government.