A Turkish court has released 10 pro-Kurdish politicians accused of having ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
The politicians were freed Tuesday by a court in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir. The reason for the release was not given, but the French news agency, AFP, quotes court officials saying the decision was made on grounds that the time spent in custody had exceeded any prison term they would be given.
The 10 politicians were among thousands detained since 2009 on charges of being involved in a PKK-linked political group (Union of Kurdistan Communities).
The Turkish government is holding talks with jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in an effort to end a 28-year Kurdish insurgency.
Hundreds of Kurdish prisoners are expected to be released once parliament approves a new penal code which will bring anti-terror legislation in line with European standards.