Bail for journalists in Pakistan

Epstein [left] and Guilloteau had been on hunger strike

Two French journalists accused in Pakistan of unlawfully travelling to an area near the Afghan border have been freed on bail.

Marc Epstein and Jean-Paul Guilloteau of the weekly L'Express were arrested on 17 December for allegedly visiting the city of Quetta without permission.

A court in Karachi freed them on bail of 100,000 rupees ($1,750) each.

The men, who briefly went on hunger strike after bail was earlier denied, must reappear in court on 10 January.

Rights groups

Justice Zawar Hussain Jaffry of the Sindh High Court said: "I heard both parties. I am of the considered opinion that the French journalists entered Pakistan on valid visas.

"They had committed some irregularities but they are professional journalists and are entitled to bail."

The arrests have been condemned by several human rights groups.

Media reports in Pakistan suggest the men were researching a report on possible Taleban training camps inside Pakistan.

The journalists admit travelling to Quetta, in south-western Pakistan, but their lawyer says their visas did not rule out travel there.

Police say they were restricted to Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.