Jake Hanrahan and Philip Pendlebury: Vice News journalists arrested for 'aiding Isis' freed in Turkey

Two Vice journalists arrested in Turkey on suspicion of "engaging in terrorist activity" related to Islamic State (Isis) have been released, according to reports. British reporter Jake Hanrahan and cameraman Philip Pendlebury, along with Turkey-based Iraqi fixer Mohammed Ismael Rasool, were arrested and charged on suspicion of terrorism offences in the south eastern Turkish province of Diyarbakir.

The men were reporting on the recent battles between the Turkish government and the youth wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which have killed scores of people.

A Turkish government official confirmed to the Associated Press both Hanrahan and Pendlebury have now been released after being moved to a high security prison on suspicion of "aiding a terrorist organisation", but Rasool remains in custody pending the conclusion of an investigation.

It was reported the men were arrested after one of the men used encryption software on his laptop computer known to be used by members of IS.

Kevin Sutcliffe, head of news programming for Europe at Vice News, condemned the arrests as an attempt to "intimidate and censor their coverage". He added: "Prior to being unjustly detained, these journalists were reporting and documenting the situation in the south eastern Turkish province of Diyarbakir.

"Vice News condemns in the strongest possible terms the Turkish government's attempts to silence our reporters who have been providing vital coverage from the region."

Amnesty International also described the detention of the trio as a "blatant case of punishing legitimate journalism using anti-terrorism laws".

Update: Vice News has confirmed the release of their two journalists. A spokesperson added: "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."