Ankara condemns detention of two Turkish journalists in Germany

German police searched the office of the Turkish newspaper Sabah in Frankfurt and detained Ismail Erel, the paper's representative in Germany, and Cemil Albay, its editor-in-chief.

According to Sabah's sources, police searched the homes of Ismail Erel and Cemil Albay as well as the newspaper's European office and confiscated computers and phones, Anadolu news agency reported.

Information about the purpose of the raid is still scarce.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry and trade unions intervened in the situation.

Diplomatic sources in Ankara said Turkey called the detention of journalists unacceptable in light of the protection of freedom of speech, a position that has been brought to the attention of German authorities.

"Protests about the incident have been expressed both in Ankara and Berlin. Such treatment of journalists is unacceptable. Negotiations with German authorities for the release of media workers are continuing," sources said.