Germany warns its citizens: Attention in Turkey

“People travelling towards Turkey for private reasons, or business should show caution”, the German Foreign Ministry said. Companies face investment risks in Turkey due to the country's legal vacuums, the ministry said.

The most absurd things can happen. You may have travelled to Turkey for years, you have friends and relatives there whom you have visited, Turkish citizens who are later considered by Turkish secret services as close to the gylenist movement and, suddenly, you are a supporter of terrorism. You go to a hotel that belongs to such a person, or you're at a cultural event associated with it and you get it. So, innocent German citizens, may have consequences”, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said.

Germany protested before Turkey's ambassador to Berlin following the arrest of six human rights activists, among them a German national. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has reacted, calling Germany's complaint unacceptable and direct interference in Turkish justice.

Erdogan's spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, also said Turkey cannot accept Germany's position.

Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan has undertaken a sweep into state institutions after army officers tried to oust him a year ago. Since then, over 50,000 people have been arrested, among them 170 journalists and many opposition politicians, academics and activists.

Erdogan accuses US cleric Fetullah Gylen as architect of failed coup. Turkey has handed over to Merkel's government a list of 68 German companies and individuals, accused of supporting the gylenist terrorist movement, including industrial giants like BASF and Daimler.