Vice Journalists Released from Prison Following Terrorism Charges in Turkey

After two British journalists working for Vice News were captured last week in Turkey and charged with "aiding a terrorist organization," it's being reported that they were released and are back in the United Kingdom. The Huffington Post reports that Vice Media has confirmed the release, stating that both Jake Hanrahan and Philip Pendlebury are out of prison but their Iraqi translator, Mohammed Ismael Rasool "remains in custody."

Vice released a statement reading, "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."

It further calls upon the Turkish authorities "for a swift end" to the imprisonment, which they call "unjust."

 Help us get the word out about our detained colleagues in Turkey. Share with #freevicenewsstaff.

A photo posted by Vice News (@vicenews) on Sep 1, 2015 at 9:32am PDT

The journalists' being held as prisoners came as the group was reporting on the tensions in the city of Diyarbakir between the police and youths. They were reportedly arrested for not having sufficient government identification.

After their release, Hanrahan posted a story to Vice.com calling for the release of Rasool. The story kicked off the hashtag #FreeRasool.

Why VICE News journalist Mohammed Ismael Rasool must be freed from Turkish prison https://t.co/R3pi0BL3bP #FreeRasool pic.twitter.com/IUpaxLlq9J — VICE (@VICE) September 8, 2015

For more about what occurred between the three journalists, head on over to Vice.

 "Relieved as we are that Jake and Philip have been freed, the fact that Mohammed remains locked up is cause for real concern. We are continuing to work with legal and government representatives to ensure his immediate and safe release." - @shanesmithvice #FreeViceNewsStaff #FreeRasool

A photo posted by Vice News (@vicenews) on Sep 4, 2015 at 6:46am PDT