Trials of 486 suspects of coup plot in Turkey to last until end of August

On Tuesday, August 1st, a trial on the incidents at the Akıncı Airbase of Ankara that took place on the night of the attempted coup of July 15 last summer was started.

The main suspect of the case involving a total of 486 suspects is the self-exiled Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen, who is the alleged mastermind of the coup plot. Other key suspects include the former air commander Akın Öztürk; civilian suspects Adil Öksüz, Kemal Batmaz, Harun Biniş, Nurettin Oruç, and Hakan Çiçek; and, the pilots of the planes from which bombs were dropped on key public buildings and civilians on the streets.

The suspects are tried with accusations of ‘violating the Constitution; attempting to abolish the government; managing an armed terrorist organization; and, attempting to assassinate the President and to slaughter people’.

The case stands as a critical one since the Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar, along with other generals and commanders, were kept in custody of the plotters at Akıncı base during the coup attempt; and, the incidents that took place there are considered as the ‘center of the plot’.

The trials will be held until August 29th under strict security measures both around the courthouse and the Sincan prison, where the suspects are held.

Source: https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/darbenin-komuta-merkezi-olan-akinci-ussu-davasi-basladi-172533.html