Germany claims Turkey IS supporting Hamas and Islamist militants in Syria in leaked government report

In the confidential document, it was stated that the "many expressions of solidarity and support actions for the Egyptian MB (Muslim Brotherhood), the Hamas and groups of armed Islamist opposition in Syria but the ruling AKP and President Erdogan emphasise their ideological affinity with the Muslim Brotherhood."

The document also stated that "as a result of the step-by-step Islamisation of its foreign and domestic policy since 2011, Turkey has become the central platform for action by Islamist groups in the Middle East".

It is the first time the German government has linked the Turkish authorities with Hamas, which is an EU and US listed terrorist organisation.

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood is not deemed to be a terrorist organisation by the EU or the US but has traditionally been tied with Turkey's political Islam.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is particularly singled out in the document, with his name frequently mentioned and highlighted.

The German government refused to comment on the confidential document.

Linke party spokeswoman Sevim Dagdelen said: "It is incomprehensible that the Erdogan government is treated with kid gloves, even though his government is considered to be the action platform of Islamism and Islamist terrorist groups."

The Left Party accused the German government of deceiving the public after it had projected a largely positive image of the Turkish government.

The confidential document is all the more telling of behind-the-scenes discussions within the German government.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has particularly held back on criticisms of Turkey's politics, even expressing her thoughts with the country after the attempted military coup.

Tensions between Turkey and the West have continued to mount after the attempted military coup on July 15.

Turkey leaders have been slammed by the West for their harsh stance on punishment of those involved in the coup.

The Turkish Foreign Minister also warned earlier this week that Turkey was considering walking away from its commitment to stem the flow of illegal migrants to Europe if the EU failed to grant Turks visa-free travel to the bloc.