Journalists jailed for life over Turkey coup attempt

A Turkish court has sentenced six journalists and media employees accused of involvement in a failed coup attempt in 2016 to life prison terms.

The state news agency said the court in Silivri, on the outskirts of Istanbul, convicted prominent journalists Ahmet Altan, Mehmet Altan and Nazli Ilicak and three other media sector employees of crimes against the state.

One defendant was acquitted.

They are the first journalists convicted over the coup attempt, which Turkey says was orchestrated by a network led by Us-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. He denies involvement.

Their conviction came as another court ordered German journalist Deniz Yucel, who had been detained in Turkey for a year, to be released pending trial.

The defendants were charged with attempts against Turkey’s constitution and membership of a terror organisation. The group denied involvement in the coup attempt.