Merkel accepts prosecution of comedian insulting Erdoğan

Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel has accepted the request of Turkish authorities to prosecute German comedian Jan Böhmermann who read out an insulting, crude poem about Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan on German television.

"There were different opinions between the coalition partners - the conservatives and the SPD (Social Democrats)," Merkel told reporters at the Chancellery in Berlin.

"The outcome is that the German government will give the authorization in the current case," she added, stressing that this was not a decision about the merits of the prosecution's case against Böhmermann.

Merkel also announced on Friday that her government will draft a proposal to replace the current law that criminalizes insulting foreign heads of state.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel dismissed criticisms she is compromising on freedoms by not refusing Ankara's request to open a court case against a German comedian for his poem mocking the Turkish president.

“We have basic values in our constitution. Article 5 of the constitution refers to freedom of thought, freedom of science and of course artistic freedom. And these basic values are valid irrespective of our talks among ourselves on various problems, including the refugee situation," she previously said.

Merkel also said the program that aired on ZDF television channel in which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was insulted, was “deliberately offensive" toward the Turkish president.