
Around 50,000 demonstrators marched through the streets of Cologne this afternoon to show their support for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Waving the Turkish national flag, demonstrators held aloft pictures of Erdogan and placards reading 'For Democracy, Against Putsch' after a failed military coup earlier this month.

'We are here because our compatriots in Germany advocate democracy and are against the attempted military coup,' Turkey's sport and youth minister, Akif Cagatay Kilic, who attended the rally, told reporters.

Around 50,000 demonstrators marched through the streets of Cologne this afternoon to show their support for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan

Waving the Turkish national flag, demonstrators held aloft pictures of Erdogan and placards reading 'For Democracy, Against Putsch' after a failed military coup earlier this month

'We are here because our compatriots in Germany advocate democracy and are against the attempted military coup,' Turkey's sport and youth minister, Akif Cagatay Kilic, who attended the rally, told reporters

Extra police have been deployed to Cologne where tens of thousands of protestors are expected to participate in the pro-Erdogen rally, in support of the Turkish President

Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rally at a gathering in Cologne, Germany

Police carry a right-wing demonstrator away in Cologne, Germany on Sunday as thousands of Turkish supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have gathered in the German city of Cologne for a demonstration against the failed July 15 coup in Turkey

The demonstration became the focus of increasingly strained ties between Germany and Turkey after a decision by Germany's top court on its eve prevented Erdogan from addressing the meeting via video-conference.

'German Constitutional Court's decision on the anti-coup rally in Cologne is an utter backsliding in freedom of speech and democracy,' Turkey's minister for EU affairs, Omer Celik, wrote in English on his official Twitter account.

Erdogan has said it is shameful that Western countries showed more interest in the fate of the plotters than in standing with a fellow NATO member and has upbraided Western leaders for not visiting after the coup attempt.

On Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Turkey should show proportionality in its pursuit of those behind the failed military coup, adding that she was following developments in the country with concern.

Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan wave Turkish flags during a pro-government protest in Cologne, Germany

The demonstration became the focus of increasingly strained ties between Germany and Turkey after a decision by Germany's top court on its eve prevented Erdogan from addressing the meeting via video-conference

A Turkish woman holding a Turkish and a German flag waits for the start of a demonstration in Cologne, Germany, this afternoon

'German Constitutional Court's decision on the anti-coup rally in Cologne is an utter backsliding in freedom of speech and democracy,' Turkey's minister for EU affairs, Omer Celik, wrote in English on his official Twitter account

Erdogan has said it is shameful that Western countries showed more interest in the fate of the plotters than in standing with a fellow NATO member and has upbraided Western leaders for not visiting after the coup attempt

On Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Turkey should show proportionality in its pursuit of those behind the failed military coup, adding that she was following developments in the country with concern

Germany is home to around three million people of Turkish origin. In Turkey's last elections, 60 per cent of them voted for Turkey's ruling AKP Party, according to the organisation Turkish Communities in Germany

Germany is home to around three million people of Turkish origin. In Turkey's last elections, 60 per cent of them voted for Turkey's ruling AKP Party, according to the organisation Turkish Communities in Germany

Germany is home to around three million people of Turkish origin. In Turkey's last elections, 60 per cent of them voted for Turkey's ruling AKP Party, according to the organisation Turkish Communities in Germany.

Protestors held a minute's silence for the victims of militant attacks around the world. About 3,000 police were deployed.

German officials are concerned that tensions within Turkey could spill over into Germany, which has seen violence in the past between nationalist Turks and militant Kurds on its soil.

Protestors held a minute's silence for the victims of militant attacks around the world. About 3,000 police were deployed

A Turkish protestor holds a flag with a portrait of president Erdogan during a demonstration in Cologne, Germany, this afternoon

Up to 30,000 people were expected to answer to take to the streets issued by a pro-Erdogan group, the Union of European-Turkish Democrats (UETD), according to police, but reports have suggested 50,000 took part in the rally

German officials are concerned that tensions within Turkey could spill over into Germany, which has seen violence in the past between nationalist Turks and militant Kurds on its soil

German riot police stand in front of protesters against Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during a pro-government protest in Cologne

Protesters against Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attend a pro-government protest in Cologne, Germany

German riot police stand in front of the Cologne Cathedral during a protest of supporters for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Cologne, Germany