At least 64 German citizens are currently in prison in Turkey. Seven of them have been in prison since last year and one since this year, according to a response from the federal government to a written question by Left MP Sevim Dagdelen.
At least two of the Germans arrested last year are in prison in Turkey on terror charges. According to the Federal Foreign Office, a total of 55 German citizens were in Turkish custody at the beginning of June 2022.
Since July 2022, 51 Germans have also been refused entry to Turkey, 19 of them this year. The reasons were not known. At least 64 Germans are currently unable to leave Turkey due to an exit ban. According to the government, in July 2022 there were still 27. Ten of the exit bans that are now in force were imposed in connection with allegations of terrorism.
Consistent action by the federal government required
“The political persecution and harassment of Germans by Turkey is obviously in full swing,” said Dagdelen. “I miss a consistent approach by the federal government, especially with regard to the Germans who are in prison for political reasons.” The federal government should “not sit back and let our citizens down on their NATO partner.”
Critics accuse the Turkish judiciary and government of applying a too broad and vague definition of terrorism. The human rights organization Amnesty International, for example, argues that anti-terror laws are often “abused” by the authorities to take action against those who think differently. The government rejects such allegations and argues that there is a particular threat.
