Turkish authorities have reportedly ordered the formal arrest of nine executives and journalists of the opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper.<br /><br /> It is pending trial, following their detention on Monday. Editor-in-chief, Murat Sambunju, is said to be among them.<br /><br /> The detentions – over the newspaper’s alleged support for July’s failed coup – have been described by one EU politician as crossing a red line against freedom of expression. <br /><br /> According to Istanbul prosecutors, staff at the paper are suspected of committing crimes on behalf of Kurdish militants and a network of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.<br /><br /> Turkey accuses Gulen of orchestrating the coup attempt, though he denies any involvement. <br /><br /> Cumhuriyet’s previous editor, Can Dundar, was jailed last year for publishing state secrets involving Turkey’s support for Syrian rebels. <br /><br /> The case sparked censure from rights groups and Western governments, worried about worsening human rights in Turkey under Erdogan.<br />
