In an interview with Schleswig-Holstein Zeitung, Britsch spoke about his arrest and his life in prison in Turkey, where he was kept in prison for more than eight months.

Britsch was arrested by Turkish police in Antakya as he was walking to Jerusalem for his pilgrimage in April 2017.

Britsch said that his contact with the German embassy had long been prevented, legal assistance was given to him after more than seven months.

"It was clear that I'm a bit of a hostage,” he said.

For the long duration of his detention, Britsch holds the federal government jointly responsible.

Britsch said the German consulate didn't do much and only waited for a visit to be approved.