Foreign Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, said that Yucel had asked for improved conditions during a visit with German ambassador, Martin Erdmann, in Turkey.
“I am relieved that Deniz Yucel says he is in good shape, but that does not change our demand that we want to see him released and that he and his colleagues receive a speedy and fair process,’’ Gabriel said.
Turkish authorities arrested Yucel, who holds both German and Turkish citizenship, in February on charges of propaganda in support of a terrorist organisation and inciting public violence.
Yucel denied the charges.
Turkish officials have rejected Germany’s demands for Yucel’s release and said that his case would be decided by the courts.
No timetable for the case has been released.
Germany’s ambassador to Turkey, Martin Erdmann, had spoken with Yucel for over an hour, according to a foreign ministry source.
“The support from Germany readings, concerts and car processions are doing him good; he knows he is not so alone and that he has not been forgotten,’’ said the source.
Ties between Germany and Turkey have been strained for over a year over a range of issues,especially, Yucel case and Ankara’s anger over a German parliamentary resolution calling the murder of Armenians by Ottoman forces a genocide.
it also includes Germany’s statements which criticised mass arrests after the failed July 15, 2016 coup in Turkey.
Germany’s cabinet last week backed plans to withdraw its troops from Incirlik air base in southern Turkey following Ankara’s refusal to allow German lawmakers access to the base. (Reuters/NAN)