Ankara slams detention of Turkish journalists in Germany

ANKARA

Türkiye on Wednesday condemned the detention of Turkish journalists in Frankfurt after their story against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind Türkiye's defeated coup in 2016.

"I condemn the detention of Ismail Erel, the German representative of Sabah newspaper, and Cemil Albay, the editor-in-chief of Sabah Avrupa, upon the complaint of a registered FETO member like Cevheri Guven," Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter.

The detention of Turkish journalists by raiding their homes and offices in the early hours, and confiscation of their equipment is a "clear violation of the freedom of the press," he added.

"We find this attitude of Germany to silence journalists unacceptable and we are concerned about the pressure on press freedom in this country.

"We call on the German authorities, which protect FETO members and allow the activities of this bloody terrorist organization, to reverse this wrong attitude, cooperate with Türkiye sincerely in the fight against terrorism and release the detained Turkish journalists immediately," Altun said.