Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu slammed the reactions of German officials on the latest arrests of a dual Turkish-German citizen couple over suspected Gülenist Terror Group membership a row which is worsening the nations' already fraying ties.
Çavuşoğlu: When we first arrest a Gülenists Member, Germany causes a stir first. What is it to you? They say: 'Why do you arrest our [German] citizens?' They are Turkish citizens at the same time. If they are Gülenists members, if they were involved in the coup attempt or supported it, why do you look after them? why does it bother you so much?"
Çavuşoğlu's words came after two German nationals, a married couple of Turkish origin, were detained on Friday in Antalya Airport amid an ongoing probe on their suspected FETÖ membership
German Chancellor Angela Merkel claimed that there is "no legal basis" for detention in most of these cases and saying that the government would "perhaps have to rethink" its policies vis-a-vis Turkey.
Çavuşoğlu: "Why do you give status to a traitor that had attempted to coup? Why do you give the right to seek asylum? it is because animosity against Turkey or because you love them so much?
Turkish minister reminded the 4,500 files given to germany over terror related cases including PKK and Gülenists. He noted that verdicts were given in only three cases in the last 10 years, criticizing excuses of German officials resorting to an independent judiciary while criticizing Turkish justice system at the same time.
