LONDON, November 30 – RAPSI, Alexander Smotrov. After a brief hearing on Thursday, a London court released the former heads of the News International publishing house and a UK Ministry of Defense official, accused of corruption and conspiracy, on parole, the British media reports. The publishing house is part of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.

Andy Coulson, Clive Goodman, John Kay, Rebekah Brooks and Bettina Jordan-Barber appeared before the Westminster Magistrates' Court to confirm their name, date of birth and address during the short hearing on Thursday and were granted unconditional bail. On December 6, they will appear at the Southwark Crown Court, which specializes in considering cases of this kind. The defendants may be imprisoned if found guilty.

Andy Coulson, former editor-in-chief of the now defunct newspaper, News of the World, and Prime Minister David Cameron's former spin doctor, and Clive Goodman, the paper’s former royal editor, have been charged with attempting to illegally obtain access to personal information, including on the British royal family, including their personal telephone numbers and conversations.

Former Sun editor-in-chief and ex-News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks and former Sun chief report John Kay conspired to pay around £100,000 for information from Ministry of Defence employee Bettina Jordan-Barber so as to publish sensational articles in the newspaper.

More than 50 individuals, including journalists and officials, were detained as part of the investigation. Charges have also been brought against Scotland Yard investigator April Casburn, who is accused of illegally passing on information to the News of the World journalists.