Turkish court sentences 15 Cumhuriyet staff on terrorism charges

A Turkish court has sentenced 15 employees of the opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet to prison on terrorism charges and acquitted three, in a case that has sparked global outrage over press freedom under Tayyip Erdogan. 

According to state media, the court also ruled that the case against the prominent journalist Can Dundar, previously the newspaper's editor-in-chief, will continue



separately. 

The Cumhuriyet reported, the sentences for those convicted yesterday by the Istanbul-based court ranged from two-and-a-half years to seven-and-a-half years.

Among them are renowned journalists, including investigative reporter Ahmet Sik, who was sentenced to seven years and six months. Journalist and columnist Kadri Gursel was sentenced to 30 months.