Malaysia deports Australian reporters. pair won't be charged

Malaysian authorities will not charge two journalists from Australia's state-owned broadcaster who attempted to interview Malaysia's prime minister over corruption allegations, deciding to deport them instead, ABC news reported quoting police as saying Tuesday.

The decision came after Australia's government intervened and suggested the detention was part of a Malaysian crackdown on press freedom.

Following the deportation orders, Australian Broadcasting Corp. television reporter Linton Besser and camera operator Louie Eroglu left Malaysia on a flight on Tuesday, ABC confirmed in an email to staff. 

The pair had previously been told to appear in a Sarawak state court on Tuesday morning charged with obstructing a public servant from discharging his duties when they questioned Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak as he entered a mosque in the state capital of Kuching on Saturday.