Can Dundar, editor-in-chief of the opposition "Cumhuriyet" daily and
Ankara bureau chief Erdem Gul have been sentenced to five years and ten
months in jail for revealing state secrets.
They published reports on alleged government arms smuggling to Syrian rebels.
However, the two men were acquitted on charges of fomenting a coup and espionage.
Earlier in the day, while Dundar was giving a briefing to journalists outside the courthouse during a break in the proceedings, a gunman shot at him. Dundar was unharmed but a television reporter covering the trial was slightly injured.
"This is the result of provocation," Dundar said moments after the shooting. "If you turn someone into so much of a target, this is what happens."
"We are now on trial for our story: for acquiring and publishing state secrets," Dundar told Reuters during a court recess, before the shooting. "This confirms journalism is on trial, making our defense easier and a conviction harder."
Dundar and Gul are expected to appeal against the verdict.
Read more: Turkish journalists sentenced to five year sentences for revealing state secrets | News | DW.COM | 06.05.2016
They published reports on alleged government arms smuggling to Syrian rebels.
However, the two men were acquitted on charges of fomenting a coup and espionage.
Earlier in the day, while Dundar was giving a briefing to journalists outside the courthouse during a break in the proceedings, a gunman shot at him. Dundar was unharmed but a television reporter covering the trial was slightly injured.
"This is the result of provocation," Dundar said moments after the shooting. "If you turn someone into so much of a target, this is what happens."
"We are now on trial for our story: for acquiring and publishing state secrets," Dundar told Reuters during a court recess, before the shooting. "This confirms journalism is on trial, making our defense easier and a conviction harder."
Dundar and Gul are expected to appeal against the verdict.
Read more: Turkish journalists sentenced to five year sentences for revealing state secrets | News | DW.COM | 06.05.2016
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