Germany: Turkey withdraws request for info on 700 firms

BERLIN – Germany says the Turkish government has withdrawn a request for information on nearly 700 companies that were flagged as having business ties with firms in Turkey that are being investigated on suspicion of terror financing.

Interior Ministry spokesman Tobias Plate said Turkey’s interior minister informed his German counterpart of the move in a phone call Monday. The request was made in May via Interpol.

Plate added that the Turkish minister said there had been “a communications problem,” and gave assurances that Turkish authorities aren’t conducting investigations in Turkey or in Germany against the companies involved.

On Thursday, the German government increased pressure on Turkey after the jailing of a human rights activist, telling all citizens travelling there to exercise caution and threatening to withhold backing for German investments in Turkey.