Chancellor Angela Merkel, caught in a bind by Turkey’s bid to silence a German satirist who lampooned President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said on Friday that her government would allow the case to go forward, but that the outdated law that permits it would be repealed with effect from 2018, The New York Times informs.
Chancellor Angela Merkel, caught in a bind by Turkey’s bid to silence a German satirist who lampooned President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said on Friday that her government would allow the case to go forward, but that the outdated law that permits it would be repealed with effect from 2018, The New York Times informs.
Merkel referred to close Germany-Turkey ties, as well as the importance of the rule of law, in explaining a decision made at the end of a week spent wrestling with the issue. She also said the step implied no judgment on the legality of Jan Böhmermann’s humor and would give the justice system the last word.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the decision may serve to mollify Turkey, which has voiced outrage about ridicule of Mr. Erdogan in the German media at a time when Ms. Merkel’s government is relying on the country to stem the flow of migrants and refugees to Europe. Aides to both Ms. Merkel and Mr. Erdogan insisted Friday that the migrant crisis played no role in the leaders’ handling of the case.
“Under the rule of law, it is not the job of the government but of prosecutors and the courts to weigh personal rights and other concerns against freedom of the press and of the arts,” Angela
Merkel said.
If the case goes forward, the law stipulates that Jan Böhmermann could face up to three years in jail, or an unspecified fine.
