German officials meet with journalist imprisoned in Turkey

German Minister of State Michael Roth speaks to the media on detained German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel, in Istanbul, Tuesday, April 4, 2017. Foreign Ministry official Michael Roth told reporters that Deniz Yucel met Tuesday with Consul General Georg Birgelen and a German consulate attorney in prison. It was the first consular contact Yucel, a reporter for Die Welt newspaper, has been allowed since he was arrested on charges of producing terrorist propaganda and incitement to hatred — accusations he denies. ( AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this July 21, 2016 file photo German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel ia pictured during a talkshow in Berlin, Germany. Turkey told German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Monday, April 3, 2017 that Germany could send diplomats to talk with Yucel on Tuesday, the ministry said. (Karlheinz Schindler/dpa via AP, file) (The Associated Press)

German officials have met with a German-Turkish journalist imprisoned since January in Istanbul and say he's doing well, but suffering from being kept in solitary confinement.

Foreign Ministry official Michael Roth told reporters that Deniz Yucel met Tuesday with Consul General Georg Birgelen and a German consulate attorney in prison.

It was the first consular contact Yucel, a reporter for Die Welt newspaper, has been allowed since he was arrested on charges of producing terrorist propaganda and incitement to hatred — accusations he denies.

The case has been one of several issues that have led to increased friction between the Germany and Turkey in recent months.

Roth thanked the Turkish government for allowing access to Yucel, saying that Germany expected it to continue and was still working for his release.