1 of 2 German Citizens Detained in Turkey Released

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German citizen S.A. has been released after being taking into custody in Antalya Airport on August 31. The couple was detained as a part of a FETÖ/PDY Fethullahist Terrorist Organization / Parallel State Organization (FETÖ/PDY).

After being taken into custody on August 31 at the airport in Antalya where they came to for holiday, the couple was taken to Provincial Security Directorate Anti-Terror Department as a part of an FETÖ/PDY investigation launched by Antalya Chief Public Prosecution after their medical examination was completed.

German media had reported that the german couple were from Turkey.

S.A was referred to Antalya Court in the evening hours yesterday (September 3) and was released after testifying before prosecutor's office.

K.S reportedly still gives testimony in the police station.

On September 1, German Foreign Ministry had confirmed the detention and that the couple had German citizenship.

German citizens behind bars in Turkey

Die Welt daily's Turkey correspondent Deniz Yücel behind bars since February 25, 2017, human rights activist Peter Steudtner taken into custody on July 5, 2017 along with other rights advocates during a workshop in Büyükada, İstanbul and translator Meşale Tolu detained on May 1, 2017 are among the German citizens who are behind bars in Turkey for political reasons.

Merkel: We are not helpless

During a TV election debate together with Social Democratic Party of Germany's (SPD) candidate for the German Chancellorship Martin Schulz, German Chancellor Angela Merkel was asked yesterday (September 3) "Are you as a Chancellor helpless?" regarding the 12 citizens of Germany being kept in custody for political reasons and Turkey's remarks on the issue advising Europe to mind its own business. Merkel said: "Of course I am not helpless" and added that that they were trying to make the citizens of Germany behind bars in Turkey to reach their freedom. (YY/DG)