Turkey asks Germany to explain 'Islamist center' claims

ANKARA

Turkey's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday slammed claims by Germany's ARD public television that Turkey has become "a center platform in the Middle East" for Islamist groups since 2011 and required an explanation.

"It is obvious that PKK terror organization, which continues to target Turkey, and some political environments in Germany, which were known for their double-standard manners in the fight against terror are behind these claims," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

A confidential document, first reported by ARD public television, included a reply from the German interior ministry to questions by an opposition party.

It said in the reply that Turkey supported Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas -- Palestinian resistance movement -- and armed opponent groups in Syria, becoming "a center in the Middle East" for Islamist groups since 2011.

On Aug. 16, ARD public television reported and described the reply as German government thinking Turkey supported "terror organizations" although the ministry never used the words "terror organizations" in the confidential document.

Turkish foreign ministry said the claims were "a new indication of the distorted mentality, which attempted to weaken Turkey by targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish government."

The statement said Turkey required an explanation from Germany about the report, which was referred to in the ARD's news report.

Turkey expects its partners and allies to fight against terror in the same way as the country does, the statement added.

A lawmaker from German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic bloc also criticized ARD public television's claims about Turkey.

Bettina Kudla wrote on her Twitter account: "The European Union sends half a billion euros to Gaza Strip, which was under the Hamas rule."

While many European capitals condemned the coup attempt, their focus quickly shifted to concerns over investigations into the incidents, as a large number of FETO suspects were arrested or suspended in state institutions.

Europe’s reaction has frustrated Turkey and prompted President Erdogan to criticize Western countries of "worrying more about putschists instead of coup victims".

Leaving 240 people martyred and more than 2,200 others injured, the July 15 coup attempt was organized by followers of U.S.-based terrorist Fetullah Gulen in the military and FETO, according to testimonies given by the suspects.