Turkish authorities have released an AFP photographer, along with 12 other people who were detained as part of an investigation into a group prosecutors accuse of having links to Kurdish rebels, The Associated Press reported citing state-run Anadolu Agency.

The Agency said however, that a court early on Saturday, Dec 24, ordered 35 other suspects formally arrested pending trial over their alleged involvement in the Union of Kurdistan Communities - which authorities say is an offshoot of the PKK rebel group.

AFP photographer Mustafa Ozer was among 48 suspects, including a number of other journalists, detained in police raids in seven cities on Dec. 20, sparking increased concerns over media freedoms in Turkey.

Hundreds of Kurdish activists have been charged as part of the investigation since 2009.