İSTANBUL - Shortly after the court ruled for their release on probation considering the time they had already spent behind bars, journalists Barış Pehlivan, Hülya Kılınç and Murat Ağırel have been released.

 

Arrested pending trial over news articles regarding the funeral of a National Intelligence Organization (MİT) officer killed in Libya and laid to rest in Manisa, Odatv Editor-in-Chief Barış Pehlivan, reporter Hülya Kılınç and Yeniçağ columnist Murat Ağırel have been released from prison.

 

As reported by Odatv news website, Barış Pehlivan stated the following in brief after he left the prison: "There was no crime or criminal in this case. There was an aim to punish our entire life of journalism. No one should doubt this: We will keep writing for a fair future, starting where we just left off."

 

The second and final hearing of the case was held at the İstanbul 34th Heavy Penal Court yesterday (September 9).

 

Yeni Yaşam newspaper Editor-in-Chief Ferhat Çelik, Yeni Yaşam Managing Editor Aydın Keser and Yeniçağ columnist Murat Ağırel have been sentenced to 4 years, 8 months, 7 days in prison on charge of violating the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) Law. Barış Pehlivan and Hülya Kılınç have been sentenced to 3 years, 9 months on the same charge.

 

Odatv New Director Barış Terkoğlu and main opposition CHP's Manisa Akhisar Municipality Press Unit worker Eren Ekinci have been acquitted.

 

The court board has also ruled that Barış Pehlivan, Hülya Kılınç and Murat Ağırel shall be released with an international travel ban, considering the time they had already spent behind bars.

 

The file of Erk Acarer, who is currently abroad, has been separated.

 

The following people were standing trial: Odatv Editor-in-Chief Barış Pehlivan, reporter Hülya Kılınç, daily Yeniçağ columnist Murat Ağırel, main opposition CHP's Akhisar Municipality Press Unit worker Eren Ekinci were arrested pending trial; Odatv News Director Barış Terkoğlu, daily Yeni Yaşam Editor-in-Chief Ferhat Çelik and Managing Editor Aydın Keser were previously released; Erk Acarer is currently abroad.