Six journalists and a newspaper employee on Friday were sentenced to jail time in Turkey on charges of aiding a failed 2016 coup attempt.

The group was accused of supporting the coup because of their work for the Turkish newspaper Sozcu, The Associated Press reports.

Sozcu has been a heavy critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

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The journalists have denied the accusations and are expected to appeal the verdict, the AP says.

Emin Colasan and Necati Dogru, columnists for the paper, were sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison.

Metin Yilmaz, Sozcu’s chief editor, received just over three years, while online news editor Yucel Ari, financial manager Yonca Yucelan and reporter Gokmen Ulu were given two-year sentences, the news wire reports.

Journalist Mediha Olgun was acquitted of charges and the owner of Sozcu, Burak Akbay — who lives outside of Turkey — is reportedly still being prosecuted in absentia.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Turkey is the second-highest incarcerator of journalists, after China.

Reportedly, at least 108 Turkish journalists or media employees are currently in prison.