BERLIN (AP) — The German government says a German man who reportedly was detained in Turkey several months ago during a planned pilgrimage to Jerusalem has been allowed to leave the country.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said late Thursday that David Britsch had returned to Germany.

He said it was "a further positive signal" following the recent release from custody of other Germans whose detention inflamed diplomatic tensions, including that of journalist Mesale Tolu.

Gabriel said that "months of uncertainty and waiting in Turkish pre-deportation custody are finally over" but gave no other details of the case.

The daily Die Welt, which first reported Britsch's release, said he was arrested in April near the Turkish-Syrian border during a pilgrimage on foot from Germany to Jerusalem.