Turkey raps Germany over request for journalist's release

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey's Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag says his German counterpart has requested the release of German daily Die Welt's jailed correspondent and described the demand as "unacceptable."

Bozdag said Friday that Heiko Maas' request amounted to a demand for the Turkish government to intervene in the judiciary.

He added: "No offense, but it is beyond question that the Turkish judiciary is fairer, more independent and more impartial than Germany's."

Deniz Yucel, who has both German and Turkish citizenship, was arrested last month on charges of terrorist propaganda and inciting hatred. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has since accused him of spying for Germany.