Turkish high court rules to release 2 prominent journalists

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s state-run news agency says the country’s highest court has ruled to allow two journalists to be released from jail as they await the outcome of their trial on terror charges for alleged links to the 2016 failed coup.

Anadolu Agency said the constitutional Court ruled Thursday that the rights of Sahin Alpay and Mehmet Altan had been infringed by their continued imprisonment — a decision that could pave the way for the release of other journalists.

The pair, accused of membership in a terror organization, were expected to be released after the decision reaches the lower court.

Alpay, a 74-year-old columnist and Altan, a 63-year-old writer and professor of economics, worked for publications linked to U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey blames for the coup. Gulen denies involvement.