Trial begins for FETO-led incidents at military academy

By Tanju Ozkaya and Ferdi Turkten

ANKARA

The trial of 239 suspects over alleged links to the incidents at Turkish Military Academy in Ankara during the July 15, 2016 defeated coup attempt began Wednesday.

The 24th High Criminal Court in Sincan district started the first hearing of the trial involving 239 suspects, including 75 already in custody.

The suspects are accused of several charges including attempting to overthrow the government and parliament, being a member of a terrorist organization and attempting to occupy military command posts for terrorist acts.

Thousands of defendants in these cases are accused of being members of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which attempted to overthrow the government and the constitutional order and commit murder on the night of the coup attempt.

Orchestrated by FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen, the defeated coup left 250 people martyred and some 2,200 injured.

Turkey also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

By Tanju Ozkaya and Ferdi Turkten

ANKARA

The trial of 239 suspects over alleged links to the incidents at Turkish Military Academy in Ankara during the July 15, 2016 defeated coup attempt began Wednesday.

The 24th High Criminal Court in Sincan district started the first hearing of the trial involving 239 suspects, including 75 already in custody.

Orchestrated by FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen, the defeated coup left 250 people martyred and some 2,200 injured.

Turkey also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.