Austria: Turkey should explain why journalist was detained

BERLIN – Austria’s government says Turkey should provide details about the arrest of Austrian journalist Max Zirngast or set him free.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told reporters in Vienna on Wednesday that “we expect Turkey to immediately explain what the journalist is being accused of, and if that’s not possible, to release him immediately.”

Zirngast was detained along with other people in the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Tuesday.

Swiss-based left-wing magazine re:volt said Zirngast, a contributor, hasn’t been officially charged yet but that “Max is doing well under the circumstances.” Zirngast has written about Turkey’s conflict with the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK.

Austria’s foreign ministry said diplomats are providing consular support to Zirngast.