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German Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated the travel alerts for Turkey on its official website and warned its citizens planning to visit Turkey against "arbitrary arrests of German citizens in Turkey".
The ministry in the travel alert has pointed out that "many German citizens were arbitrarily arrested since the coup attempt on July 15, 2017".
According to the information of the ministry there are 54 German citizens currently behind bars in Turkey. 11 of these are arrested for political reasons. Die Welt daily's Turkey correspondent Deniz Yücel, human rights activist Peter Steudner and translator Meşale Tolu are among those who are in prison.
"Risk of detentions in tourist regions"
The ministry in its advice has pointed out that there similar detentions might occur in all parts of Turkey including tourist regions.
The ministry also warned that such practices could especially affect German citizens who have a special or personal connection to Turkey as well as people who have both the citizenship of Germany and Turkey.
The ministry has also drawn attention to the fact, the right of the arrested German citizens to meet with a representative authority from Germany in Turkey as provided by international law, was being set back by the State of Turkey.
"Not a legal warning, it is one's own choice"
Making a statement regaring the travel alert of the ministry, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said that the ministry had not made an official travel warning regarding Turkey but the updated travel alert was meant point out that "tourists should consider the dangers in Turkey".
Stating that those planning to visit Turkey should make the decision on their own, Gabried noted that they cannot take this decision from anyone". (AS/DG)
