According to recent reports in German media, more than 600 Turkish civil servants have sought asylum in Germany since a coup attempt took place in Turkey on July 15, 2016.
The reports were based on figures obtained from the German Interior Ministry. They have revealed that more than 600 civil servants have fled Turkey for Germany to seek asylum, including 250 people with Turkish diplomatic passports and 380 with service passports, who have all applied for asylum as of the mid-September 2017.
The country's interior ministry previously announced that they had accepted the applications of 196 of those asylum seekers.
Ties between Turkey and Germany have been strained ever since last year. Since the failed coup bid, the Turkish government has levied criticism at Germany for not showing solidarity with Ankara and for turning a blind eye to the continued activities of Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) in the country.
In the wake of the deadly coup attempt, Turkey has worked tirelessly to locate members of the FETÖ worldwide, focusing on the commercial entities of the terrorist cult.
European countries, which have also been blamed for harboring supporters of other terrorist groups, have vastly failed to respond to Turkey's extradition requests.
Ankara has singled out Germany among European countries for embracing hundreds of fugitive diplomats and soldiers accused of involvement in the coup with suspected links to FETÖ.
In May, Ankara condemned Berlin's decision to accept the asylum applications of former military personnel linked to the terrorist group.
In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Germany has shown disregard for democratic principles by welcoming coup perpetrators and has "regretfully condemned" Berlin's decision to grant the asylum requests of Gülenists fleeing Turkey.
In addition to Ankara's harsh criticism of Berlin, FETÖ has also admitted that Germany is fit to become the new center of the terrorist group.
SOURCE: Daily Sabah
