Turkey's top court rules release of 2 jailed journalists

Turkey's Constitutional Court on Thursday ruled that two jailed journalists be released, saying their rights were violated when in custody.

Some Turkish lawyers and experts said the ruling could set a positive precedent for other journalists detained under state of emergency since July 2016.

Mehmet Altan and Sahin Alpay, jailed for more than a year amid purges of media members following the failed coup attempt in July 2016, were accused of "links to terrorist groups" and "attempting to overthrow the government." They have denied all the charges, Xinhua reported.

On Wednesday, Turkish Journalist Association called on the government to free the 145 imprisoned journalists, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

Many of the jailed reporters are charged with propaganda for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) or the networks of US-based Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of masterminding the 2016 coup attempt.

--IANS

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