German Journalist Released But Cannot Leave Turkey

German-Turkish journalist Mesale Tolu has been released by the Turkish authorities after eight months in prison, but she cannot leave the country, officials told media.

Her husband Suat Tolu was released last month. They both face charges of being a member of a terrorist organization and making propaganda on behalf of a terrorist group.

The news was welcomed by her family and German authorities.

“Regarding Ms. Tolu, it is good news given that she will be freed, but not completely so, because she can’t leave the country and the trial continues,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel told journalists.

German Ambassador to Turkey Martin Erdmann gave the news to media in Istanbul’s Bakirkoy district where the journalist was kept at a women’s jailhouse.

The father, Ali Riza Tolu, though happy with the news, lamented that officials stole nearly one year from her daughter’s life.

Turkey still keeps Deniz Yucel, another German-Turkish journalist, in jail despite calls from Berlin for his release.