Ankara in row with Berlin over asylum

ISTANBUL // Turkey yesterday condemned Germany for granting political asylum to military personnel with alleged links to last year’s failed coup in Turkey and their families, saying the move risked harming relations.

Berlin accepted the asylum petitions of Turkish nationals holding diplomatic passports, according to German press but the reports were not confirmed by authorities.

Since the coup attempt in July last year, dozens of diplomats, judges and high-ranking Turkish officials have sought asylum in Germany as Ankara presses ahead with a vast crackdown on alleged supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the preacher blamed for the coup. German media reported that 414 have sought political asylum in Germany. That number also includes family members.

“We regret that Germany is accepting asylum requests of some former military personnel” linked with Mr Gulen, the Turkish foreign ministry said.

It said the German decision was “a step that is not in line with the spirit of alliance” between our countries.

It said allowing the asylum requests would mean tolerating and embracing a pro-coup mentality.

Relations between the Nato allies became strained during the referendum campaign in April to boost Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s powers.

The arrest in Turkey of Turkish-German journalist Deniz Yucel on terror-related charges has also gravely alarmed Berlin.

After the failed attempt, authorities fired, suspended or detained more than 100,000 people for alleged links to coup plotters or Kurdish rebels.