Turkey Charges Five More Journalists Over Alleged Coup Plot

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(RFE/RL) — A Turkish court has charged five more journalists with involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the Islamist-rooted government.

The move comes a day after two prominent journalists were charged and jailed pending trial for involvement in the alleged conspiracy. The five charged today were also remanded in custody.

The opposition and large part of the media say the alleged conspiracy, which has led to the detentions of hundreds of people, is a means of stifling political dissent in Turkey.

The European Union, which Turkey hopes to join, the United States and human rights groups have said the detentions of journalists raise concern over freedom of speech.

Turkey will hold legislative elections in June in which Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development party will seek a third term.

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RFE/RL journalists report the news in 21 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established.

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