German journalist Deniz Yücel freed from Turkish jail
February 16, 2018
Deniz Yücel, a German journalist who had been in jail in Turkey for a year, has left the country. Berlin welcomed the news, but warned that other reporters, among them Germans, remain in detention.
Image: Twitter/Veysel Ok
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Deniz Yücel's lawyer, Veysel Ok, tweeted a picture of Yücel and his wife, Dilek Mayatürk, hugging in front of Istanbul's Silivri prison. Earlier, Germany's Foreign Ministry had confirmed a report in German daily Die Welt that he was set to walk free.
Deniz Yücel had been detained for a year without any charges brought against him. A German government spokesman said he was "relieved and glad" and thanked the Turkish judiciary. He also said there had not been any "dirty deals" with Ankara.
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In a press conference, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel thanked the Turkish government, and especially his counterpart Mevlut Cavosoglu, for their cooperation.
Yücel's release is "an example of how diplomacy and vigilance can pay off," said Gabriel, adding that the journalist was "on his way to the airport in Istanbul." Later, the German government confirmed that Yücel had left Turkey.
Gabriel insisted however that Berlin would not forget the "five other Germans who are still in jail, we want to use this momentum to accelerate their path to freedom was well."
Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was "pleased" that Yücel "was able to leave jail today," but like Gabriel, warned that there are many "other cases of people who are not as prominent" being detained in Turkey who should also have the right to a fair and speedy trial.
State-run news agency Anadolu reported that an Istanbul court had accepted charges brought by prosecutors, who are apparently seeking up to 18 years in prison for Yücel.
Yücel, who has both German and Turkish citizenship, is a correspondent for Welt. He has been accused of supporting a terrorist organization.
Opinion: Deniz Yücel's year in Turkish prison
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Strained relations
At a meeting with Chancellor Merkel on Thursday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim had hinted that there was some "movement" in Yücel's case and that he hoped Yücel would be released soon.
Yücel's case as well as those of other detained journalists and activists has strained relations between Berlin and Ankara. Merkel called Yücel's case a "burden" on bilateral relations.
Speaking on DW TV, Jürgen Hardt, CDU foreign policy spokesman, stressed that the German government "didn't pay any political price and appreciates the efforts of the Turkish government."
He also said that he "hoped they [the government] will lift the state of emergency, which hinders the freedom of the press, and return to normal democratic structures."
Welt Editor-in-Chief Ulf Poschardt said on Twitter that his release was "the best news ever," adding: "We are so happy! Thanks to all supporters." The daily had earlier been informed of the release by Yücel's lawyer.
Last February, Yücel went to a police station for questioning about a report he wrote about the Turkish energy minister. He was arrested there and later accused of sedition and using "terrorist propaganda to incite the population."
There are currently five German and more than 100 Turkish journalists in Turkish prisons.
Deniz Yücel's release triggers joyful reactions — and continued warnings
German-Turkish reporter Deniz Yücel has been released from prison in Turkey, where he was held for a year without charge. Many leading figures in Germany reacted with delight at the news.
Image: picture-alliance/Eventpress/Stauffenberg
Deniz Yücel: A year behind bars
Yücel's story has gripped Germany for the past year. Following his arrest on February 14, 2017, he was accused of sedition and spreading terrorist propaganda but never charged. Articles he wrote about Ankara's conflict with the Kurdish minority and the failed coup of July 2016 may have prompted the allegations. He also spent time in solitary confinement which he described as "almost like torture."
Image: Imago/Müller-Stauffenberg
Angela Merkel: 'I am happy'
The German chancellor expressed her pleasure at the news of Yücel's release during a joint press conference with Poland's prime minister: "I am pleased, like many, many others, that he could leave prison today. I am happy, of course, for him and for his wife." She noted, however, that that there were still some "not so prominent cases" of journalists in jail in Turkey.
Image: Reuters/F. Bensch
Joyfully reunited
Yücel was met outside the prison by his wife, TV producer Dilek Mayatürk. They married while he was behind bars. During his time in prison, she was allowed to visit him only once a week, according to a report in the Sunday edition of Welt.
Image: Twitter/Veysel Ok
Sigmar Gabriel expects Yücel's return
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel had made continued efforts at the diplomatic level to gain the journalist's release. "This a good day for us all." He added that he expected Turkish officials to allow Yücel to leave the country.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Kappeler
German journalists and Amnesty: 'Don't forget the others'
The German Federation of Journalists (DJV) and Amnesty International, however, warned that other journalists should not be forgotten amid the good news. "The freedom of the press is still being massively eroded," said DJV's Frank Überall (pictured). Markus Beeko of Amnesty International Germany echoed his sentiment, reminding that his counterpart in Turkey remains in prison after eight months.
Image: Frank Sonnenberg
Yücel released, while others given life sentences
Shortly after news came that Deniz Yücel had been freed, it was reported that three prominent Turkish journalists — Mehmet Altan (above), his brother Ahmed Altan and Nazlic Ilicak — had been sentenced to life imprisonment for links to exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen. Ankara holds Gulen responsible for the failed coup. The journalists' cases have raised new alarm over the rights situation in Turkey.
Image: DHA Doğan Haber Ajansı
Crackdowns continues
Turkey is still under a state of emergency more than a year and a half after an attempted coup. More than 38,000 people, including journalists and teachers, are in jail, while over 110,000 have been sacked from government jobs. Ankara has told international critics that it is necessary to root out all Gulen followers for security reasons.
Image: picture-alliance/abaca
Protests at detentions in Turkey
The crackdowns have, however, been met with a number of protests both in Turkey and in Germany, whose nationals have also been scrutinized by the Turkish government. The German Foreign Office is aware of 28 German citizens who were arrested in the crackdown, while 31 German nationals are banned from leaving the country.
Image: Imago/snapshot/K.M. Krause
Heiko Maas: 'Overdue news'
Expressing his delight at the news of Yücel's release, German Justice Minister Heiko said that Berlin would continue to do everything in its power to gain the freedom of all German nationals unjustly imprisoned in Turkey "as quickly as possible."
