(TRUNEWS) Germany has caved to pressure from Turkey and will allow Ankara to conduct a criminal investigation into a poem written by German comedian Jan Boehmermann. Under a section of the criminal code, the German government has to authorize a prosecution.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel made the announcement and said the courts would have the final say, according to BBC. She also said her government was divided over whether Boehmermann should face prosecution.
Two weeks ago the comedian mocked Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in the poem which aired on Germany’s ZDF television, as reported by RT. The Turkish government said Boehmermann accused Erdogan of “repressing minorities, kicking Kurds and slapping Christians while watching child porn.”
The station claims no laws were broken, but has pulled the piece from its archives.
Some experts claim Boehermann could be the victor due to free speech issues. He could also face jail time or hefty fines.
Merkel claims her government will try to repeal a section of the penal code that prohibits insulting foreign heads of state. Due to increasing pressure to stem the flow of migrants coming into Germany, Merkel may be kowtowing to Turkey to get them to keep a recent accord in which Ankara agreed to help with the refugee problem.
Turkey’s intolerance toward the media has grown in recent months. Journalists were arrested and the Zaman publication has been taken over by the government. Its first edition featured a positive story and picture of Erdogan. North Korean media also publishes similar fluff pieces about their dictator Kim Jong-un.
Two reporters from Turkey’s Cumhuriyet newspaper are being charged with espionage for reporting on Turkey’s state intelligence agency helping to transfer weapons into Syria by truck.
The slap down on free speech has also spread to include pressuring other countries, like Germany. In addition to the Boehermann incident, Turkey also pushed Germany into removing a satirical clip which criticized Erdogan for his crackdown.
The post Turkey’s crackdown on speech includes manhandling Germany appeared first on TRUNEWS with Rick Wiles.
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