Turkey arrests German national for 'spreading PKK propaganda'

A German national has been arrested in southeastern Turkey for allegedly spreading propaganda on behalf of Kurdish militants considered terrorists by Ankara, Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Wednesday.

According to the news agency, the man identified as 'Dennis E.' was apprehended and detained Hatay province for promoting Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) propaganda on social media. 

Turkey has been in armed conflict with the PKK since 1984 and is fighting the group both inside Turkey and in northern Iraq. 

Germany has given no immediate comment on the arrest of the man, who according to state media is of Turkish descent.

The man's arrest comes amid a period of sustained strain between Ankara and Berlin, which intensified last year with a a number of open diplomatic rows.

Among several bones of contention was the arrest of German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel, who was released by Turkey in February after spending a year in detention for alleged security offences.

Yucel's arrest came amid President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's far-reaching purge that followed July 2016's failed coup attempt. Over 150,000 civil servants have been removed from posts and 77,000 have been charged as part of the crackdown.

Human rights groups and Turkey's Western allies, including Germany, have raised concern over the purge, however Turkey has shrugged off criticism as the Erdogan government has consolidated power.

Earlier this year, German Chancellor Angela Merkel also strongly condemned Turkey's military assault against Kurdish militias in Syria, describing the humanitarian situation in Afrin as "unacceptable".