German Ambassador Visits Imprisoned Citizens In Turkey

German Ambassador Martin Erdmann visited journalist Deniz Yucel and human rights activist Peter Steudtner in Istanbul, Turkey where they are jailed on charges of espionage and abetting a terrorist organization.

Both German nationals are “doing well, considering the circumstances,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Their imprisonment has strained diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Turkish authorities arrested Mr. Yucel in February on charges of espionage. Mr. Steudtner was arrested last month and is accused of plotting a new coup against the Turkish government along with other members of Amnesty International.

He was arrested on July 5 along with nine other Amnesty members during a human rights workshop.

The incident quickly escalated tensions, with Berlin threatening to impose economic sanctions against Ankara. Nevertheless, the Turkish authorities have repeatedly refused to release the human rights activist.