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
-
A candidate in the municipal elections for the 23rd Nasimi-Sabail electoral district, activist Djamila Alisheva, has reported administrative barriers in conducting her campaign. She claims that the district election commission is refusing to provide the necessary forms for her authorized representatives.
-
On January 15, the Tbilisi Court of Appeals rejected the appeal of Afghan Sadigov, the founder of the Azel TV website, who had protested his extradition to Azerbaijan. Sadigov’s wife, Sevinj Sadigova, stated that this was the final judicial instance in Georgia making a decision on the case, Turan reported. On the other hand, lawyer Mariam Kvelashvili informed Turan that the defense would continue legal steps to prevent the extradition of Afghan Sadigov. According to his wife, Afghan has been on hunger strike for 117 days, and his health is critical.
-
Jamil Hajiyev, a member of the National Council of Democratic Forces, has reported continued pressure from the police. On January 10, during the trial of opposition figure Tofig Yagublu at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, Hajiyev unfurled a banner reading "Freedom for Political Prisoners!"
-
On January 15, the Yasamal District Court rejected the motion to change the detention measure for Azer Gasymly, the director of the Institute of Political Management, his lawyer, Agyl Laidj, to Turan. "Azer Gasymly stated during the trial that the charges against him were fabricated and related to his socio-political activities," the lawyer said. An appeal will be filed against the court's decision.
Leave a review