A group representing German journalists is advising reporters and bloggers against traveling to Turkey, including for private vacations, The Associated Press reported on Thursday.
The German Federation of Journalists cited in a statement Thursday the reported detention last week of a German citizen accused of propaganda for a terrorist organization in Facebook posts advocating an independent Kurdish state. According to German media, he was released but ordered to remain in Turkey.
Ties between Germany and Turkey were frayed by Turkey’s detention of several German citizens amid a crackdown following a failed 2016 coup. They included two journalists who have since been released.
The journalists federation urged journalists to check before booking a trip to Turkey whether they have mentioned politics there in reports or on social media and, in case of doubt, choose another destination.