Turkish court releases detained journalists, issues prison sentences pending appeals
In a mixed verdict, three Turkish journalists charged with revealing state secrets were released from jail during a trial Wednesday.
ISTANBUL — After six months behind bars, three Turkish journalists accused of revealing national security secrets were ordered released from prison following a trial in the Istanbul 34th Heavy Penal Court Wednesday.
Oda TV editor-in-chief Baris Pehlivan, reporter Hulya Kilinc and Yenicag newspaper columnist Murat Agirel were released with travel restrictions but face prison sentences pending appeals.
They were among seven journalists on trial Oct. 9 for allegedly revealing the identity of a Turkish intelligence officer killed in Libya in February during their coverage of his funeral. Agirel, along with previously released Yeni Yasam editor-in-chief Ferhat Celik and managing editor Aydin Keser, was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for “disclosing information and documents about intelligence activities.”
Under the same charge, Pehlivan and Kilinc were sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. Oda TV news director Baris Terkoglu was acquitted, and the court file was separated for the seventh defendant, BirGun reporter Erk Acarer, who is being tried in absentia and remains abroad.
