German journalist is freed after a year in Turkish jail

A GERMAN journalist imprisoned without charge for more than a year in Turkey was released yesterday, opening the way to a thaw in relations between the two countries.

Deniz Yücel, a reporter for the Welt newspaper, was freed in Istanbul less than 24 hours after Chancellor Angela Merkel pressed Binali Yildirim, the Turkish prime minister, for his release.

But the move did not appear to signal a let-up in Turkey’s crackdown on press freedom. It came as three of the country’s most prominent journalists were among six jailed for life for alleged links to the failed coup of 2016.

Mr Yücel was among more than 100 journalists jailed in Turkey after their reporting was seen as critical President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He was officially held on suspicion of espionage. “Deniz Yücel is a terrorist and a spy. As long as I hold this position, there will be no release,” Mr Erdogan declared last year.

However, the case for espionage was quietly dropped yesterday as prosecutors finally filed charges of spreading terrorist propaganda and inciting hatred against Mr Yücel.

He could face 18 years in jail if found guilty, but he was released pending trial. Last night he was said to be heading for the airport amid reports he would be allowed to leave the country.

He was met at the gates of Silivri Prison by his wife, Dilek, who tweeted: “At last! At last!!! At last !!!! Deniz is free.” of