Angela Merkel accepts Turkish request to seek prosecution of German comedian Jan Bohmermann

Angela Merkel has accepted a request from Turkey to seek the prosecution of a comedian who read out an offensive poem about the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on German television.

Under an obscure paragraph of Germany's criminal code, the government has to authorise prosecutors to pursue a case against the comedian, Jan Böhmermann, who stands accused of insulting a foreign leader.

"There were different opinions between the coalition partners – the conservatives and the SPD (Social Democrats)," Ms Merkel said .... http://www.independent.co.uk