Erdogan’s Germany visit in doubt as row over arrested journalist intensifies

ANGELA MERKEL has demanded the release of a German journalist arrested in Turkey amid calls for her government to block a visit to Germany by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

As the diplomatic row worsened over the arrest of Deniz Yucel – a dual Turkish-German national and correspond- ent for Die Welt accused of spreading “terrorist propaganda” – the Turkish government summoned the German ambassador last night.

Ankara demanded an explanation for why appearances by two Turkish ministers at meetings in Germany were prevented by local authorities as public anger at Mr Yucel’s arrest spread.

Earlier, in a considerable hardening of her position, Mrs Merkel said Germany would do “everything in its power” to secure Mr Yucel’s release. She said: “A free and independent press is part of democracy and must never be questioned.” And she added that Mr Yucel “did nothing but do his job”.

Local authorities in Cologne and Gaggenau, a small town in southern Germany, withdrew permission for po- litical rallies at which the two Turkish ministers were due to speak.

The event in Gaggenau, at which Bekir Bozdag, the Turkish justice minister, was to appear was called off just hours before it was due to start.

All eyes are now on whether a planned appearance by Mr Erdogan himself will be allowed to go ahead.

The Turkish ministers were due to address rallies ahead of a referendum in April in which Mr Erdogan is seeking wide-ranging powers. Around 1.5 million people in Germany hold Turkish citizenship and can vote.

Turkey reacted furiously. Mr Bozdag said: “The fact Germany, which at every opportunity speaks of freedom of expression has cancelled a meeting of the Turkish community is unacceptable.”