German Deputy Government Spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer, asked at a regular press conference, discussed President Erdogan's statements targeting ambassadors from 10 countries, including German Ambassador to Ankara Jürgen Schulz, reiterating his expectation of “Kavala's immediate release”.

Demmer said they “noted” reports that Erdogan did not want to host ambassadors in Turkey and had forwarded it to Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, DW Turkish reported. Demmer also sent a message that the German Government stands by the ambassadors' call for the immediate release of Osman Kavala.

"NO CHANGE IN OUR POSITION"

German Deputy Government Spokesman Demmer recalled the Decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for the immediate release of Osman Kavala and the German Government's support for the implementation of this decision, saying, “There is no change in our position”.

Answering a question about whether Schulz, the German ambassador to Ankara, had left Turkey, German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger said, “At the moment, there is no change in our diplomatic presence in Turkey.”

On his return from a tour of West Africa, Erdogan targeted ambassadors who made a joint statement calling for Osman Kavala's release. Erdogan said, “I told our Foreign Minister that we cannot afford to host them in our country.”