Turkey Releases Two of Three VICE News Journalists Imprisoned for ‘Terror Activity’

Two of the three journalists working for VICE News who were arrested and charged with “terror activity” in southeastern have been released.

According to an official statement, Jake Hanrahan and Philip Pendlebury were released from a Turkish prison. News of the pair’s freedom came on the heels of another report that, along with fellow reporter and translator Mohammed Ismael Rasool, they had been transferred to another, high security facility.

Despite the welcoming news, however, Rasool has not been released by the Turkish authorities. Apparently the court overseeing his case has rejected his appeal:

While we are grateful that they have been freed, we are deeply worried by reports that our other VICE News colleague, Mohammed Ismael Rasool, has had his appeal of release rejected by the Turkish government. Rasool is an experienced journalist and translator who has worked extensively across the Middle East with VICE News, Associated Press, and Al Jazeera.

We call on the Turkish authorities for a swift end to this unjust detainment and to grant his immediate release.

[Image via screengrab]

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