The Turkish government has criticized their US Ambassador over his recent comments on media freedom in the country.

Newly-appointed Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone spoke on Tuesday, expressing his concern over Turkey apprehending reporters despite pledging support for press freedom.

Ricciardone was wrong to "pass judgment" over an ongoing police investigation, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has declared.

Huseyin Celik, deputy chairman of the ruling AK Party also criticized the diplomat:

"Ambassadors cannot interfere in our internal affairs. They cannot design our domestic policy," he said.

"Journalists are being detained on the one hand, while addresses about freedom of speech are given on the other. We do not understand this, so we ask you," Ricciardone said, as cited by the Hurriyet daily.

On Monday, the Tukish police authorities invaded the anti-government Oda TV and detained its owner, Soner Yalcin, as well as three colleagues of his, for interrogation concerning links to an alleged plot to topple Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-inspired government.

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