The denial of permission, though citing overcrowding concerns, came after German opposition parties and several media organizations called on the government not to allow Turkish politicians to address rallies ahead of a referendum in Turkey on constitutional changes. Turkey's justice minister hit out at Germany on Friday, saying it "has become a haven" to members of the PKK, DHKP-C, and FETO terrorist groups.
Bekir Bozdag, speaking in Turkey's eastern province of Malatya, criticized German authorities for revoking permission for a rally in the southern German town of Gaggenau where he was set to address the Turkish community. - Turkey's justice minister hit out at Germany on Friday, saying it "has become a haven" to members of the PKK, DHKP-C, and FETO terrorist groups.
Bekir Bozdag, speaking in Turkey's eastern province of Malatya, criticized German authorities for revoking permission for a rally in the southern German town of Gaggenau where he was set to address the Turkish community.
"Turkey's judicial system is more independent than the one in Germany," Bozdag said, adding that although the Berlin Wall fell a long time ago, "We can see that the wall remains in people’s minds." The justice minister charged that anyone who commits a crime against Turkey finds safe haven in Germany.
"This is a decision that violates diplomatic manners," he said. The denial of permission, though citing overcrowding concerns, came after German opposition parties and several media organizations called on the government not to allow Turkish politicians to address rallies ahead of a referendum in Turkey on constitutional changes.
Bozdag was to address Turkish citizens on the proposed changes, which go to a referendum on April 16. Turkey's Foreign Ministry has summoned the German ambassador, Martin Erdmann, over the cancellation, according to a ministry source, and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also criticized the move. Among Germany’s 3 million-strong Turkish community, nearly 1.5 million of them are eligible to vote. They can cast their ballots from March 27 to April 9.