Turkey convicts, gives prison sentences to journalists who criticized Erdoğan

Six journalists and a newspaper employee on Friday were sentenced to jail time in Turkey on charges of aiding a failed 2016 coup attempt.

The group was accused of supporting the coup because of their work for the Turkish newspaper Sozcu, The Associated Press reports. 

Sozcu has been a heavy critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The journalists have denied the accusations and are expected to appeal the verdict, the AP says.

Emin Colasan and Necati Dogru, columnists for the paper, were sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison.

Metin Yilmaz, Sozcu’s chief editor, received just over three years, while online news editor Yucel Ari, financial manager Yonca Yucelan and reporter Gokmen Ulu were given two-year sentences, the news wire reports.

Journalist Mediha Olgun was acquitted of charges and the owner of Sozcu, Burak Akbay — who lives outside of Turkey — is reportedly still being prosecuted in absentia.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Turkey is the second-highest incarcerator of journalists, after China.

Reportedly, at least 108 Turkish journalists or media employees are currently in prison.