Two reporters for the US-based Bloomberg news agency appeared in court on Friday accused of trying to undermine Turkeys economic stability with a story they wrote on last years currency crisis. Istanbul-based reporters Kerim Karakaya and Fercan Yalinkilic face up to five years in prison if convicted over the August 2018 article. Thirty-six other defendants, including prominent economist Mustafa Sonmez and journalist Sedef Kabas are also on trial over their social media comments on Turkeys economy and banks. The trial opened Friday and was adjourned until Jan. 17. All were charged following a complaint by Turkeys banking watchdog. Their case is seen as part of a crackdown on journalists and media outlets critical of the government. At least 126 journalists or media workers are currently in prison, according to Turkeys Journalists Syndicate. Bloomberg has condemned the prosecution and defended the reporters. Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait said Friday: "We continue to fully support our two journalists, at todays hearing and in any future proceedings." "Theyve been indicted for accurately and objectively reporting on highly newsworthy events," he said. "We are committed to them and to press freedom, and hope that the judiciary will do right by acquitting them."