Two more German citizens have been arrested in Turkey "for political reasons", Berlin said on Friday, bringing the total number of German political prisoners in Turkish custody to 12 amid badly frayed ties between the countries. "On August 31, two German nationals were detained in Turkey for political reasons," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Adebahr said, adding that the ministry was trying to provide consular assistance. "We expect Turkey to release the German nationals who were arrested on unjustifiable grounds." Of the 55 Germans currently detained in Turkey, 12 of them - including four with dual German-Turkish citizenship - are being held for political reasons, the foreign ministry said. READ ALSO: Turkish custody for German activist 'unjustified', says Merkel spokesmanRelations between the two NATO allies have plunged after Berlin sharply criticized Ankara over the crackdown that followed last year's failed coup.

Source: The Local September 01, 2017 12:00 UTC