Turkey has reversed its decision to ban a German journalist from leaving the country while she awaits trial on charges of membership in a terrorist organization, the journalist said on her Twitter account on Monday.
Meşale Tolu confirmed on her Twitter account German media reports that the travel ban Turkish authorities imposed since she was released from prison in December after eight months in detention had been suspended.
“As a result of my lawyer’s application, my ban on traveling abroad has been lifted,” Tolu wrote on her Twitter account in Turkish. “My prosecution will continue on Oct. 16.”
Germany has demanded the release of several of its citizens, some of Turkish origin, as a necessary step to improve ties with Turkey.
Relations between the NATO partners soured after Germany condemned Turkey’s arrests following a failed 2016 coup of some 50,000 people and the suspension or firing of 140,000 others, including teachers, judges and soldiers.
Ties have improved in recent months, especially after Turkey released German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yücel in February.
Eight German citizens are being detained in Turkey on political grounds, including one arrested last week. Turkey has also arrested several US citizens.
Berlin has urged Turkey to improve ties with the United States and Germany, which would ease an economic crisis sparked by a sharp fall in the lira.
Turkey recently freed two Greek soldiers who were arrested on espionage charges in March after they crossed the Turkish border “accidentally.”
Former Turkish minister Egemen Bağış told Greek media that it was a favor from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the Greek people, according to the Hürriyet daily.