German journalist is acquitted by a Turkish court

On Monday, a Turkish court cleared German journalist Mesale Tolu of terror charges, according to a tweet by the journalist. Tolu's arrest nearly five years ago caused tension between Ankara and Berlin.

Melissa Tolu addresses a news conference at the Stuttgart airport in Germany on August 26, 2018. Image credit: Reuter/Ralph Orlowski

Tolu was arrested in April 2017 in response to a coup attempt in July 2016 and held in jail for eight months before being released. She was accused of publishing terrorist propaganda and membership in a terrorist organization.

"After four years, eight months and 20 days: acquitted on both charges!" she tweeted.

"In a state of law, such a trial would not have taken place in the first place. The verdict cannot make up for the repression and the time in prison," Tolu added.

In response to the failed coup in Turkey, Germany condemned the arrests of some 50,000 people, as well as the suspension or firing of more than 150,000 people, including teachers, judges, and soldiers.

Under the crackdown, about a dozen people with German citizenship were also jailed in Turkey. About 3 million Turks live in Germany.

In 2018, the two countries improved their relations again after Turkey released German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel and lifted a travel ban against Tolu.