PM Yıldırım: I Hope Deniz Yücel Will Be Released Soon

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Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım gave an interview to Germany's television channel ARD prior to his meeting with Germany PM Angela Merkel today (February 15).

Yıldırım answered questions about journalist Deniz Yücel, imprisoned for a year and still pending indictment, Turkey-Germany relations, developments in Syria, and freedom of expression.

Indicating that he did not know the charges against Deniz Yücel and that the judiciary would make the final decision, Yıldırım said he expected there would be developments in the case shortly.

Speaking about the developments in Syria, Yıldırım noted that Turkey would fight against the US should they join sides with YPG against Turkey.

Binali Yıldırım also stated that no-one who spoke out against the Afrin operation had been arrested, but that legal action had been taken against those calling the operation a war.

"I Expect Swift Progress in Deniz Yücel's Case"

"It's not up to me to make a decision on Deniz Yücel's case. The judiciary will do that. I hope he is released soon. I believe there will be a development in the case soon.

(Upon being reminded of Erdoğan's words that "Deniz Yücel will not walk free so long as I am in office) "Turkey has rule of law. In countries where there is rule of law, courts hold the lawsuits. They decide. We can say what we think and feel. But we can't put ourselves in the place of the courts.

(On Yücel's year-long arrest despite no indictment) "Neither you nor I know the charges against Yücel. But if you put yourself in the position of a judge or a prosecutor, then you are acting against the rule of law.

"We will fight the US if it comes to that"

"As a NATO member, Turkey is at odds with its ally, the USA, because the latter supports YPG in the region.

"We don't pose a threat to the USA. We just say: Turkey, the US, Germany are all NATO states. The USA decided to fight ISIS in Syria with a terrorist organization by its side.

"What we say is: Don't collaborate with terrorist organizations that engage in terrorist activity against Turkey, which is a NATO member and protects NATO's borders. That doesn't fit with our alliance. It's not what a big country would do.

"We have a problem with YPG. But if the United States enters into war with us along with YPG, we will fight them too.

"Nobody who is against the operation has been arrested"

(The action taken against the Turkish Medical Association) "Nobody who is against this operation has been arrested. We have merely taken legal action against those who call the fight against terror a war.

"And this is natural. Because it's not war, it's an operation. This is an operation to protect Turkey's independence, unity, border safety, and security of lives and property.

"War happens between two countries. There's no state in Syria now, so how could there be a war? In Syria there is the US, Russia, and Germany, in the coalition. So let's not get confused here.

"How will Germany explain this?"

"So many parties are criticizing Turkey on the topic of differing opinions. But they don't look at themselves. They don't ask themselves if they adhere to democratic rights.

"A European country did not let a minister from Turkey into their country. Germany let Cemil Bayık, a terrorist leader, join a meeting through video conference, but didn't let the President of the Republic of Turkey attend a meeting. How is Germany going to explain that?"

"Let's turn over a new leaf with Germany"

"Germany had its elections. Before the elections, both sides were rough on each other. But now the elections are over. Now it's time to turn over a new leaf. This is what I think.

"I aim to talk with Ms. Merkel about all topics without censoring anything.

"Germany is the backbone of Europe. Turkey is the backbone of the region. Therefore, Turkey-Germany relations are important not just for EU-Turkey relations, but for our shared citizens/residents bordering on four million.

"Let's turn over a new leaf. Let's forget the past, look ahead, and further develop our relations." (EKN/PU)