Turkish Journalists Freed After Top Court Rules Rights Violated

Two Turkish journalists from a leading opposition newspaper have been freed hours after Turkey's top court ruled that their detentions had violated their rights.

The arrest of Can Dundar, editor in chief of Cumhuriyet, and Ankara bureau chief Erdem Gul in November 2015 drew international condemnation and revived concern about media freedom in Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

They were detained after the publication of video footage purporting to show the state intelligence agency helping send weapons to Syria.

The two were charged with aiding an armed terrorist organization and publishing material in violation of state security.

Cumhuriyet published photos, videos and a report last May that it said showed intelligence officials transporting arms to Syria in trucks in 2014.

Despite their release, the two journalists are still facing possible life sentences at a trial that is due to start on March 25. They are also banned from leaving the country.

Erdogan has cast the newspaper's coverage as part of an attempt to undermine Turkey's global standing.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters