Turkey summons German ambassador, outraged over song poking fun at president Erdogan

The German ambassador to Turkey has been summoned to the foreign ministry over a German television broadcast of a song that pokes fun at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a Turkish official said Tuesday.

Turkey condemned the satirical video to Ambassador Martin Erdmann during a meeting last week and demanded that the public broadcaster that aired it on March 17 cease showing it, according to a ministry official who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government rules.

WATCH: German satirical song Erdowie, Erdowo, Erdogan

The German-language song, which can still be seen on broadcaster ARD’s website and on social media, alludes to the imprisonment of opposition journalists, authorities’ heavy-handed response to protesters and allegations that Turkey prefers to take action against Kurdish rebels rather than the Islamic State group. It features a clip of Erdogan falling off a horse.

Its lyrics include the line: “A journalist who writes something that doesn’t suit Erdogan will be in the slammer tomorrow.”

Germany’s Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that its ambassador in Ankara discussed the issue with Turkish diplomats Tuesday and “a few days ago.”

“He made clear in these conversations that the rule of law, independence of the judiciary and protection of fundamental freedoms, including freedom of the press and freedom expression, are valuable goods that must be protected together,” the ministry said.