German journalist Tolu freed in Turkey, but cannot leave country – Berlin

18 Dec, 2017 14:23 / Updated 6 years ago

Ankara has released German journalist Mesale Tolu after nearly eight months in prison on the condition that she does not leave the country, Berlin said on Monday. Turkey has charged Tolu with being a member of a terrorist organization and publishing terrorist propaganda following a failed military coup in July 2016. Her husband, Suat Corlu, a journalist who had been detained earlier, was released last month. Both continue to face charges in Turkey, Reuters reports. Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed the news with reservations, given curbs on Tolu’s ability to travel. Two weeks ago, German federal prosecutors dropped an investigation against a dozen Muslim clerics sent from Turkey who had been suspected of spying on behalf of the Turkish government.