Almost 200 Turks with diplomatic passports have been granted asylum in Germany since a failed putsch attempt in Turkey over a year ago, the German Interior Ministry has said. Of 249 applicants with diplomatic passports, 196 people were allowed to stay, German news agency DPA reported yesterday.
The DPA report was based on an official response by the Interior Ministry to a parliamentary question from the Left Party. The number of members of the Turkish military that have been granted asylum is not listed. Most of those who sought asylum in Germany are believed to be members of the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) blamed for last year's deadly coup attempt.
The number of asylum seekers from Turkey is generally on the rise, according to the ministry's figures. In August 962 applied, while in July and June the number of applications was 620 and 433 respectively. Earlier this month, the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning for Germany, cautioning citizens to be prudent while in the country, citing rising racism in Germany's election campaign.
