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Vice News journalists freed after being arrested on terror charges

Two British journalists arrested in Turkey accused of helping Islamic State have been released.

Vice News correspondent Jake Hanrahan and cameraman Philip Pendlebury were detained on terror charges while filming in the south-east region of Diyarbakir.

On Thursday it was announced they had been released, but their fixer, Mohammed Ismael Rasool, remained in custody.

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Sister's delight at release of Brit held on terror charges

Philip Pendlebury with his sister Alex. Credit: ITV Granada

The sister of one of the British journalists held on terror charges in Turkey has expressed her joy at their release.

Philip Pendlebury's sister Alex confirmed the news, writing on Facebook: "I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am.

"This has been the most difficult week of our lives but now the nightmare is over!

"I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to each and every one of you, because without you this wouldn't have happened!!! From the bottom of my heart thank you so much!!"

On Wednesday, she told ITV Granada that the accusations were "ludicrous".

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Vice news reporters released in Turkey

Philip Pendlebury (left) and Jake Hanrahan have been released Credit: Credit: Vice News

The two Vice news reporters arrested in Turkey have been released.

British journalists Jake Hanrahan and Philip Pendlebury were detained last Thursday in Turkey.

The pair were charged by a Turkish court with “aiding a terrorist organisation”.

It was reported yesterday that they had been moved to a high security prison.

The journalists' fixer, Iraqi national Mohammed Ismael Rasool, remained in custody.

VICE News has received confirmation from the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office that two of our journalists, Jake Hanrahan and Philip Pendlebury have been released from a Turkish prison.

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.

– Vice News
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