Germans deny Turkey 'spy' charges

Charges against two other groups were dropped

By Jonny Dymond BBC correspondent in Istanbul

The former head of a German foundation has denied that he conspired to undermine the unity of the Turkish state.

Wolfgang Sachsenroeder is one of four representatives of German foundations which promote civil society and democratic standards to be charged with espionage.

The case has cast a shadow over relations between Turkey and Germany.

In court, the state prosecutor alleged that the foundations tried to stop Turkey exploiting its mineral wealth.

Mr Sachsenroeder was in court on Thursday because he had been unable to attend the first hearing in December.

He joined his former colleagues in denying the charges.

Two other non-government organisations were originally charged but the accusation was dropped after it became clear that there had been an administrative oversight.

The case has cast a shadow over relations between Turkey and Germany.

German 'plot'

The foundations have strong links to Germany's mainstream political parties.

One of the accused has described the case as ridiculous

Among the charges, the defendants are accused of plotting to hinder the extraction of gold from a mine in the west of Turkey.

The prosecutor told the court that the foundations encouraged local people to campaign against the mine as part of a German plan to stop Turkey accessing its natural resources.

Mining of gold from the area was delayed for several years by legal challenges on environmental grounds.

A campaign by local people was assisted by some of the foundations.

Turkish 'manipulation'

One of the accused has described the case as ridiculous and said that the real aim was to slow the reform process in Turkey which is aimed at bringing the country's political system up to the standards of EU members.

Others believe that anti-EU elements in Turkey are manipulating the case to sow hostility in Germany towards Turkey and its application to join the EU.

If that is the case, then it has already had some success.

The German Government has condemned the trial and called for it to be abandoned - something the Turkish Government says it does not have the power to do.

The case has now been adjourned until late February.

If the accused, who include several Turkish citizens as well as Germans are found guilty, they face long prison sentences.