Turkish court rules for Deniz Yücel's release as it accepts terror indictment
German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yücel has been released after the 32nd High Penal Court in Istanbul ordered the release of the correspondent for German daily Die Welt, who was arrested in February 2017 on suspicion of spreading terrorist propaganda.
- Türkiye
- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 12:00 | 16 February 2018
- Modified Date: 04:27 | 16 February 2018
A Turkish court on Friday released a Turkish-German journalist who was arrested by the Turkish police last year.
The 32nd High Penal Court in Istanbul ordered the release of Deniz Yücel, a correspondent for German daily Die Welt, who was arrested in February 2017 on suspicion of spreading terrorist propaganda.
The court also accepted an indictment against Yücel demanding up to 18 years in prison on charges of spreading terrorist propaganda and inciting public hatred and enmity.
The court released him with a preliminary proceedings report.
The arrest of Yücel and around a dozen German citizens, on suspicion of aiding terrorist groups, had been a source of friction between Ankara and Berlin.
Despite repeated calls by German politicians for the release of their citizens, the Turkish government ruled out any political influence on the judiciary and advised them to wait for the decision of the courts.
Visiting Berlin on Thursday, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said the Turkish courts were overloaded due to cases related to the 2016 defeated coup, but added he hoped a development might come soon.