ERDOGAN WARNING: Tourists told DON’T criticise Turkish leader after spate of arrests

Germany’s foreign ministry has issued fresh travel advice for German tourists travelling to Turkey in response to the imprisonment of a number of its citizens since the failed coup in 2016.

The rebellion against Mr Erdogan prompted thousands of arrests of people accused of supporting exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Turkey’s government blamed for being behind the uprising.

A number of those arrested are German-Turkish dual citizens, fuelling tensions between the two countries.

The new travel advice, released yesterday, said that arrests often follow social media posts against Mr Erdogan’s government.

It said: “Arrests and prosecutions frequently related to social media posts that were critical of the government.

“In some cases merely ‘liking’ another’s post of that nature is enough.”

Germany’s foreign ministry added that even private comments could create a huge risk.

It said: “Non-public comments on social media can be forwarded to Turkish authorities via denunciations.

“A conviction for ‘insulting the president’ or ‘spreading terrorist propaganda’ can lead to many years’ imprisonment.”

Social media is the main platform for opposition to Turkey’s government.

Germany’s travel warning follows intense efforts to improve relations with Turkey following the attempted coup.

In September Germany hosted Mr Erdogan for a three-day state visit. But the controversial move sparked mass German protests and tensions remain high between the two countries.

Germany is home to some 3 million people of Turkish background, including exiled critics of Mr Erdogan.

Germany’s new advice to its citizens will shock British tourists as the country is a popular destination for UK holidaymakers.

But the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) says the situation is Turkey has settled since the failed coup in its travel advice to British tourists.

The FCO said: “The situation has calmed following an attempted coup on 15 to 16 July 2016.

“A state of emergency imposed after the coup attempt in July 2016 has been lifted, although some restrictions remain in place.”