LOC20:23
17:23 GMT
PARIS, Feb 19 (KUNA) -- France expressed concern on Monday after the sentencing to life terms of six journalists in Turkey on accusations of anti-State activities and alleged links with a failed Coup d'Etat in that country in July 2016.
"As the President of the Republic recalled on January 5, after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart (President Recep Tayyip Erdogan), freedom of opinion, expression and conscience are part of the requirements of democratic life," the Foreign Ministry said.
"In this regard, we are concerned by the conviction last Friday of six Turkish journalists to life terms in prison," Paris added.
Separately, the Foreign Ministry welcomed the release on bail of German-Turk journalist Deniz Yucel who had been detained for many months in jail, provoking a cooling off in relations between Berlin and Ankara. (end)
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