Turkish model refused visa for beauty contest
Published: 9 Mar, 2011 CET.
Updated: Wed 9 Mar 2011 08:00 CET
A Turkish contestant in model competition due to be held in Germany next week has reportedly been denied a visa, sparking claims of discrimination.
Sezgi Melek Tüzel was due to travel to the Baltic island of Usedom to strut her stuff “Top Model of the World” contest on March 16. But daily Die Welt reported this week that she had not received a visa even though contestants from South America and Africa had.
Citing the Turkish press, Veli Harmanda from Turkey's organizing committee called the incident an "international scandal," according to the paper.
Though rehearsals for the contest have already finished, Tüzel is hoping to be granted permission to visit Germany as soon as possible in order to make the finale next week.
The model's woes underscore recent complaints by Turkish officials, who say Turkey's citizens have had increasing difficulty getting German visas.
The Local/rm
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Sezgi Melek Tüzel was due to travel to the Baltic island of Usedom to strut her stuff “Top Model of the World” contest on March 16. But daily Die Welt reported this week that she had not received a visa even though contestants from South America and Africa had.
Citing the Turkish press, Veli Harmanda from Turkey's organizing committee called the incident an "international scandal," according to the paper.
Though rehearsals for the contest have already finished, Tüzel is hoping to be granted permission to visit Germany as soon as possible in order to make the finale next week.
The model's woes underscore recent complaints by Turkish officials, who say Turkey's citizens have had increasing difficulty getting German visas.
The Local/rm
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