[Umit]

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A British couple being tried on drugs charges in Turkey were freed by the court on Thursday after spending 14 months in jail -- but their trial will continue, their lawyer said.

Ian and Jane Johnson of Nottinghamshire are accused of attempting to smuggle out of Turkey five kg (11 lb) of heroin with an estimated street value of 400,000 pounds.

"The court took into account the time they had already served, which would be enough jail time if they were to be found guilty of the charges," lawyer Murat Eken told Reuters.

"They are happy with the decision."

The next hearing in the trial is due on September 27.

Eken said the court had taken into account the Johnsons' co-operation with police in the capture of a suspected drug ring chief, who they said had forced them to smuggle heroin after threatening to kill one of their children.

The couple plan to return to their home in the resort town of Kusadasi on the Aegean Sea coast, pending permission from Turkish authorities, who could still deport them, Eken said.

The Johnsons have Turkish residence permits. Their two children are now with relatives in Britain, Eken said.


---------
Resource: http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle...rss/uk/topNews

[Shannon]

Oooohhh thats interesting, but seriously did anyone see Midnight Express? I know its not like that in turkey anymore but what kind of an idiot would try to smuggle drugs out of Turkey?!!!!

[Hephaestion]

Kill their children?

What sort of people were they socialising with?

[Shannon]

Originally Posted by Hephaestion

Kill their children?

What sort of people were they socialising with?

Exactly