A Hamburg court delivered its verdict on German comedian and television presenter Jan Böhmermann on Friday, nearly a year after his satirical poem criticizing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan upset the leader in Ankara and led to a diplomatic row. A ban on the re-publication of the most offensive passages will remain in place.

In March 2016, a separate video mocking the Turkish leader made Erdogan so furious he summoned the German ambassador to Ankara. A few days later, Böhmermann cited Erdogan's array of lawsuits in Turkey and further afield against perceived "insults," and said that he had written a poem designed to demonstrate the difference between legitimate criticism and simple slander.

Pigeon Bazaar in Turkey Pigeon auction in the Turkish city of Sanliurfa A stream of men carrying cardboard boxes filled with pigeons heads to three tea-houses. Here, they sell the birds to a dedicated band of pigeon keepers and breeders at Sanliurfa's famed auctions. It's a pastime that has been thriving for hundreds of years across the region, as well as across the nearby border in war-torn Syria.

Pigeon Bazaar in Turkey Troubled region Sanliurfa is situated just 50km (30 miles) from Syria, in the southeastern region that has been rocked by clashes between government troops and Kurdish insurgents. But despite this, trade in the region has carried on.

Pigeon Bazaar in Turkey Passion for Pigeons On closer inspection, you can see that the birds are adorned with little jewelled piercings. This specimen is known as "Siyah Kinifirli" and is worth 1000 Turkish Lira (243 €).

Pigeon Bazaar in Turkey Precious hobby Auctioneer Dildas proudly reports: "I once sold a pair of pigeons for 35,000 Lira (8,500 €). This is a passion you cannot stop. I've been known to sell the fridge and my wife's gold bracelets to pay for pigeons."

Pigeon Bazaar in Turkey Peaceful friends When they are not trading, most of the city's pigeon enthusiasts head to the rooftops at sunset and let their birds stretch their wings. Hundreds fill the sky before following their training and heading home. "The birds are my friends. They give me peace," says 55-year-old aficionado Resit Guzel.

Pigeon Bazaar in Turkey Doping for healthy birds Vitamins and antibiotics for pigeons are also sold at auction. Guzel gives his 70 birds quality feed and regular vitamins. "Upkeep costs 5 Lira (1,20 €) a day, which is not much. Even if it cost me more, I wouldn't mind," he says.

Pigeon Bazaar in Turkey Too many pigeons In the early days of the conflict in neighboring Syria, there was an oversupply of birds on the market. Enthusiasts from northern Syria fled to Turkey bringing their pigeons with them. "Prices fell, but as the conflict escalated and there were no more pigeons coming from Syria, prices rose again," says 23-year-old breeder Ismail Ozbek. Author: Nadine Berghausen



On his late-night show "Neo Magazin Royale," the comedian then read the poem which not only criticized Erdogan for human rights abuses and increasingly autocratic tendencies, but was sprinkled with expletives and graphic sexual references.

In the banned parts of the poem, Böhmermann made references to child abuse, bestiality and government persecution - mixing wild stereotypes with more valid complaints specific to Turkey.

An irate Erdogan tried and failed to prosecute with the help of Germany's government, making use of a law against insulting foreign heads of state. This case failed, but Erdogan continued to pursue the civil suit, seeking a ban on the circulation of the poem. The same Hamburg court had already prohibited certain parts of the poem from being published.

Both sides had said they would appeal the verdict if they lost, but so far Böhmermann has made no comment as to whether he'll follow through.

Merkel: Apology was a 'mistake'

Chancellor Angela Merkel faced criticism over the case, less for ordering public prosecutors to investigate a potential violation of the law, but rather for her apology to Erdogan for Böhmermann's actions. Merkel later walked back her apology after hefty criticism, calling it a "mistake."

After investigating the case and interviewing Böhmermann, public prosecutors later announced that there was insufficient evidence to pursue a criminal case against the comedian.

Germany then moved to repeal the relevant passage of the law altogether, announcing in January that it would scrap the measure offering special protection to foreign leaders by the end of 2017.

"The idea of lese majesty arose in an era long gone by. It no longer belongs in our criminal law," said Justice Minister Heiko Maas, adding that foreign leaders with hurt feelings still retained the right to pursue civil suits for slander or libel.

es/msh (AFP, dpa, Reuters)