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Tag: Failed coup

  • Turkey detains 218 people linked to failed coup

    Turkey detains 218 people linked to failed coup

    Turkish prosecutors on Tuesday ordered the detention of a total of 218 suspects over their alleged links to a network behind a failed coup in 2016, local media reported.

    Anti-terror teams and police forces launched simultaneous operations in 25 provinces to catch 115 people, including soldiers on active-duty, upon the order of Istanbul prosecutors, the state-run Anadolu agency said.

    66 people have been detained so far, and operations were underway to capture the rest, it added.

    Meanwhile, Ankara prosecutors issued detentions warrants for a total of 103 suspects in two other separate investigations, the Haberturk broadcaster said on its website.

    All of those targeted in the operations have suspected ties with the network headed by the U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, according to press reports.

    The Turkish government blames Gulen and his network for masterminding the coup bid in July 2016, in which 250 people were killed.

  • 92 people bag life sentences over 2016 failed coup in Turkey

    92 people bag life sentences over 2016 failed coup in Turkey

    A court in Ankara on Wednesday sentenced 92 defendants, including former generals to life in prison or attempting to violate constitutional order.

    The trial was linked to the 2016 abortive putsch by a faction in Turkish military.

    The trial, focusing on the incidents at land forces headquarters in Ankara, started in 2017 with 132 defendants on trial.

    Out of the 92 life sentences given, 12 were aggravated life sentences, state news agency Anadolu reported. Aggravated life sentences are the most severe terms possible in Turkey.

    Twenty-eight people were given varying jail sentences, with some facing up to more than 19 years in prison. The charges ranged from attempted murder to membership in an armed terrorist organisation.

    The court acquitted nine people of all charges, while trial will continue for three others, Anadolu reported.

    Turkey blames U.S-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen for the attempted coup on July 15, 2016 and has jailed thousands over alleged links to the cleric.

    Once an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Gulen denies any role in the failed attempt that left more than 250 dead.

    Ankara has designated Gulen’s movement, accused of infiltrating key state institutions for decades a terrorist organisation.

    Several trials related to the coup are still ongoing in Turkey.