Turkey lifts travel ban on German journalist

ISTANBUL: Turkey has reversed its decision to ban a German journalist from leaving the country while she awaits trial on charges of being a member of a terrorist organisation, the journalist said on her Twitter account on Monday.

Mesale Tolu confirmed on her Twitter account German media reports that the travel ban Turkish authorities imposed since she was released from prison in December after eight months in detention had been suspended.

“As a result of my lawyer’s application, my ban on travelling abroad has been lifted,” Tolu wrote on her Twitter account in Turkish.

“My prosecution will continue on Oct 16.”

Germany has demanded the release of several of its citizens, some of Turkish origin, as a necessary step to improve ties with Turkey.

Relations between the Nato partners soured after Germany condemned Turkey’s arrests after a failed 2016 coup of some 50,000 people, and the suspension or firing of 150,000 others, including teachers, judges and soldiers.

Ties have improved in recent months, especially after Turkey released German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel in February.

Eight German citizens are being detained in Turkey on political grounds, including one arrested last week.

Turkey has also arrested several US citizens.

Germany has urged Turkey to improve ties with the United States and Germany, which would ease an economic crisis sparked by a sharp fall in the lira. — Reuters