German journalist Mesale Tolu urges more government pressure on Turkey | News | DW | 13.01.2018

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Press freedom

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.

Mesale Tolu

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.

Read more: Turkey pushes for normalizing relations with Germany

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.

Read more: Germany and Turkey: A roller coaster relationship

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.

  • Türkei Bosphorus Brücke Militär Protest Mann

    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.

  • Türkei Istanbul Panzer rollt über Autos

    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.

  • Türkei Gebäude Nationalversammlung Zerstörung durch Bomben Ankara

    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.

  • Türkei Putschversuch Soldaten

    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.

  • Türkei türkische Soldaten am Taksim Platz Proteste Menschen auf den Straßen

    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.

  • Türkei Bosphorus Brücke Panzer Kleidung und Helme von Soldaten

    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.

  • Türkei Soldaten flüchten vor wütendem Mob

    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.

  • Tayyip Erdogan Türkei Atatürk Flughafen

    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.

  • Türkei Menschen auf Panzern mit türkischer Flagge

    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.

  • Türkei Panzer Kind auf Panzer türkische Flagge Frau macht Fotos

    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


ls/jlw (dpa, AFP)

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Turkey pushes for normalizing relations with Germany

The Turkish foreign minister has said the time has come for Germany and Turkey to return to friendlier relations. He also said the government is pushing for the judiciary to formally charge German journalist Deniz Yücel. (01.01.2018)  

Turkey: German journalist Mesale Tolu released pending trial

Turkey has released German journalist Mesale Tolu after nearly eight months in prison on the condition that she does not leave the country. Tolu was detained in April for producing "terrorist propaganda." (18.12.2017)  

Germany and Turkey in 2017: a rollercoaster relationship

In 2017 Turkish authorities arrested German citizens, Berlin threatened sanctions, and politicians in Ankara made comparisons to the Nazis. Now German-Turkish tensions appear to have eased. Is it a sign of hope? (25.12.2017)  

German journalist arrested in Turkey

German media have reported that Mesale Tolu has been in detention under allegations of terrorism since April 30. Her work had appeared in pro-Kurdish media, including an outlet closed as part of government crackdowns. (11.05.2017)  

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Reporter Deniz Yucel has been placed in jail pending his trial on terrorism related charges. Scores of opposition journalists have been arrested amidst a crackdown on dissent by the government of President Erdogan. (28.02.2017)  

Turkey: The failed coup and its aftermath

Night of terror: The failed coup attempt turned Turkey into a war zone. More than 260 people have died. Does the country face the threat of a civil war? (16.07.2016)  

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