Jailed Turkish editors say arrests are warning to journalists

Two jailed Turkish editors, accused of spying and helping a terrorist group, have told Reuters in a faxed message from prison their arrest was designed to send a warning to journalists.

Editor-in-chief of the left-wing Cumhuriyet newspaper, Can Dundar, and its senior editor, Erdem Gul, were arrested on November 26 over the publication of footage purporting to show the state intelligence agency helping send weapons to Syria.

The issue of Turkey’s involvement in Syria is particularly sensitive as the Nato member comes under pressure to take a more active role in the fight against Islamic State militants there.