Ex-Chief of General Staff of the Turkish Army, General Ilker Basbug was sentenced to life in prison for organizing a coup. The prosecution demanded such a punishment for him and for another 63 people, including nine of the generals, reports the BBC.
Basbug, who led the army in 2008-2010, denied all the allegations against him. Earlier, the court of Turkey acquitted the 21 accused, the fate of 253 people is still unknown, and they are expecting a verdict.
More than 270 were brought to trial for the preparation of the coup five years ago. Among them are senior officials of the armed forces of Turkey, lawyers, academics and journalists.
All of them are accused of involvement in the group "Ergenekon", which consisted of nationalist army officers, and according to the prosecution, was created to overthrow Erdogan's government.
In addition to the underground activities, they are charged more for the illegal possession of weapons before the organization of the coup.
The trial is taking place in a conference room specially guarded Silivri prison, where the former Chief of the General Staff is kept.
About a thousand protesters staged a march near the prison. Police used tear gas on them.
According to experts, this trial will demonstrate how seriously Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is adherent to religious views, is going to struggle with the secular opposition and dissent in the army.
The confrontation between the military and Erdogan, who came to power in 2002, has been lasting for more than 10 years, during which hundreds of officers were arrested.
The military in Turkey traditionally considered themselves the guarantor of the secular constitution. In the 1960s and 80s, they made three coups. The Army has long been in conflict with the Islamist Justice and Development Party, led by Erdogan.
Moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party are considered to be the political heir of the Party of Wellbeing. This Islamist party led the government, which resigned in 1997 as a result of pressure from the military circles. -02D-
Politics
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