Turkish FM blasts German travel warning

By Sorwar Alam

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday slammed his German counterpart over statements regarding the detention of a German national whom Turkey accuses of terrorism.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel announced in a news conference on Thursday, that it would not encourage German businesses to invest in Turkey, in an apparent attempt to increase pressure on Ankara to release German citizen Peter Steudtner.

Germany also issued new travel warnings for its citizens wishing to visit Turkey.

Speaking to reporters in Northern Cyprus, Cavusoglu said the remarks from Berlin were an example of diplomatic discourtesy.

"Berlin knows that the Turkish Republic and Turkish nation have never bowed down to threat and blackmail. Therefore, it should be known that these threats and blackmail would not get any response in Turkey.

"We will also assess the threats and of course we will respond to it."

Cavusoglu's office said in a statement earlier that Turkey has officially informed German authorities that Steudtner -- who was arrested on July 18 -- is on trial and they should respect the judicial process.

“It is ensured within the framework of our Constitution that no organ, authority or individual may give orders and instructions to the courts or may make recommendations or suggestions,” the statement read.

- Strained ties

Steudtner was among 10 people arrested in a police raid during a meeting in Buyukada, one of the Princes’ Islands near Istanbul, for allegedly planning provocative events that would fuel unrest across Turkey similar to the Gezi Park incidents in 2013.

A Turkish court on Tuesday remanded in custody Steudtner, on charges of aiding an armed terrorist organization.

Germany's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday called on the Turkish authorities to release Steudtner, calling his detention “unjustified” and charges against the group “absurd”.

Ties between Ankara and Berlin have been strained in recent months as Turkish leaders slammed Germany for turning a blind eye to the activities of outlawed groups and terrorist organizations which are hostile to Turkey.

Despite repeated requests by Ankara to arrest suspects in last July's defeated coup attempt in Turkey, German authorities have turned down extradition requests.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which organized the foiled coup bid, runs dozens of private schools, businesses and media organizations in Germany.

Since the coup attempt, nearly 4,000 FETO suspects have fled to Germany from Turkey and other countries, according to local media reports.

Ties were further strained this month after Germany barred President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from addressing Turkish community representatives on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg, citing security concerns.

Last week, Ankara postponed a planned visit by a group of German lawmakers to a NATO base in Turkey's central Konya province, saying that such a meeting was not politically appropriate at this time.