Turkish Cumhuriyet journalists to be tried in closed court

Two prominent Turkish journalists, charged with revealing state secrets, will have their trial held in a closed court, a judge has ruled.

Can Dundar and Erdem Gul, from the newspaper Cumhuriyet, were arrested in November over a report alleging that the Turkish government had tried to ship arms to Islamists in Syria.

They deny the charges but face possible life sentences if found guilty.

Their supporters say the case is a major test of press freedom in Turkey.

The Turkish government has come under increasing international criticism over its treatment of journalists.

Earlier this month, Turkish police raided the offices of the country's biggest newspaper, Zaman, hours after a court ruling placed it under state control.

Over 100 reporters and observers attended the opening session of the trial on Friday morning. Prosecutors then asked the judge for a closed hearing, a request which the judge approved, after a brief adjournment.