Merkel Demands Release of German Citizens Detained in Turkey

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel has answered the questions of journalists on Turkey in the annual press conference in Germany's capital city of Berlin.

Stating that "a very complicated" phase has been going on in relations with Turkey, Merkel stressing that the German citizens have been held "unjustified" in Turkey demanded release of the citizens.

Merkel: We took a new direction in our policy toward Turkey

"I would like to have better relations with Turkey, but we have to be realistic," Merkel told in the press conference.

"We must see how things develop but we are calling now, very clearly, for the release of those who are imprisoned.
"Several German citizens are being held in prison, which we believe is unjustified. We therefore decided to take a new direction in our policy towards Turkey".

Merkel also mentioned two of the Germans being held in Turkey by name: Deniz Yücel, a journalist for Welt newspaper who is accused charges of spreading terrorist propaganda, and Peter Steutdner, human rights campaigner accused of plotting terrorist crimes at a workshop held with Amnesty International. (BK/TK)