The Turkish Constitutional Court has ordered the release of two government-critical journalists who have spent over one year in jail, the local media reported on Thursday.
The Ankara court ruled that the rights of Sahin Alpay and Mehmet Altan had been violated.
Both had been accused of being associated with terrorist groups after the failed coup attempt in July 2016.
Both men, as well as Cumhuriyet journalist Turhan Gunay – who had been released earlier had submitted complaints to the court that their basic rights and press freedom had been infringed upon.
The constitutional court ruled in their favour.
Experts welcomed Thursday’s decision, saying it could set a positive precedent for other journalists detained in Turkey.
Those include German journalist Deniz Yucel, a correspondent from Die Welt newspaper, who has sat in detention for nearly a year and who has also submitted multiple complaints to the constitutional court. (dpa/NAN)
