Turkish court closes pro-Kurdish newspaper

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — An Istanbul court has ordered a pro-Kurdish newspaper to close down for allegedly engaging in "terrorist propaganda."

The court said Tuesday that Ozgur Gundem newspaper acted as the "media organ" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

The move comes amid heightened concerns over press freedoms in Turkey.

The decision comes weeks after the government shut 130 newspapers, television stations and radio stations following last month's failed coup.

The outlets were deemed to be affiliated to U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the government accuses of masterminding the coup. Several journalists who have worked for Gulen-linked news organizations also were detained.

Gulen has denied devising the plot.

A government official said the decision against Ozgur Gundem was unrelated to the coup attempt and that the paper can appeal.

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