German journalist Mesale Tolu urges more government pressure on Turkey

The German journalist has called on Berlin to "stand up for the victims of human rights violations" in Turkey. A court has blocked Tolu from leaving Turkey pending a trial over alleged membership in a terror group.

German journalist Mesale Tolu called on Berlin to continue pressuring Turkey on detaining journalists and media workers in an interview published by Hamburg-based news magazine Der Spiegel.

"We cannot look away now," Tolu said. "I expect the federal government to stand up for the victims of human rights violations."

Tolu was arrested in April for allegedly producing "terrorist propaganda" while working for a leftist news agency, a claim press freedom groups criticized as a targeted crackdown on free speech.

The German journalist has also been accused of being a "member of a terrorist organization," namely Turkey's extremist Marxist-Leninist Communist Party.

Tolu denied the allegations, saying: "As a journalist for the news agency ETHA, I reported on what's going on in Turkey. That obviously disturbed the government."

Die Welt journalist Deniz Yucel is one of more than 150 journalists in Turkish custody

Die Welt journalist Deniz Yücel is one of more than 150 journalists in Turkish custody

Tolu's remarks come as Germany and Turkey witness a gradual thaw in relations after they took a nosedive in the wake of a failed coup in July 2016.

Since the failed coup, Turkey has detained 50,000 people and suspended 150,000 more from work for suspected links to self-exiled Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen.

The crackdown has also resulted in Turkey targeting media workers, with more than 150 journalists remaining in Turkish custody, including Deniz Yücel, correspondent for Berlin-based Die Welt. Tolu is prohibited from leaving Turkey under a court-ordered travel ban.

Turkey: The failed coup and its aftermath

Bloodshed by the Bosphorus

A blood covered resident of Istanbul stands near the Bosphorus Bridge. There were clashes between civilians and the army after the military had blocked the bridge. Government sources say that more than 260 people were killed in fighting during the coup attempt.
Turkey: The failed coup and its aftermath

Tanks roll through streets

Tanks drove through several cities in the night in a completely surprise move. The Turkish military announced its takeover. The tracked vehicles flattened cars in the streets of Istanbul and Ankara, turning the country into a war zone.
Turkey: The failed coup and its aftermath

Lights out in parliament

After the bombing of parliament in Ankara, the building is in ruins. Fighter jets flew low over the capital and had the citizens panicking.
Turkey: The failed coup and its aftermath

Who owns the Republic Monument?

The army not only closed the Bosphorus Bridge: it also occupied Taksim Square, a main transportation hub in Istanbul. The soldiers positioned themselves in front of the Republic Monument.
Turkey: The failed coup and its aftermath

Icon of resistance

Erdogan supporters also protested on the square. A showdown began when a soldier pointed his gun at a man. The army opened fire on the protesting crowd on the square.
Turkey: The failed coup and its aftermath

The calm after the storm

Shirts off their backs: After the failed coup attempt, rebel soldiers laid down their arms on the Bosporus Bridge and fled.
Turkey: The failed coup and its aftermath

Put to flight

After the armed forces had surrendered, soldiers tried to get on a bus to flee from the angry masses.
Turkey: The failed coup and its aftermath

Cheering crowds

President Tayyip Erdogan returned to Istanbul. Cheering crowds received him at the airport. Erdogan announced that the rebels would pay a heavy price.
Turkey: The failed coup and its aftermath

It's over!

Erdogan supporters triumph and wave the Turkish flag after the army's withdrawal. The coup attempt has failed.
Turkey: The failed coup and its aftermath

Posing on a tank

Bizarre souvenir: A mother took a picture of her daughter on top of a tank. The tank on the Bosphorus Bridge was surrounded by Turkish police.

Author: Astrid Prange / gro