27 former pilots and other suspects sentenced to life in prison for failed military coup against Erdogan
Ankara … News Time
Twenty-seven former pilots and other suspects have been sentenced to life in prison for plotting a failed military coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the coup attempt of being a follower of a religious preacher named Muhammad Fethullah Gulen. Fethullah Gulen lives in a small town in the US state of Pennsylvania that was once an ally of Erdogan but is now living in exile in the United States. The failed coup in 2016 killed at least 251 people and injured more than 2,000 and it was a turning point for Erdogan’s power and the contemporary Turkish leadership. According to media reports, the country’s largest court was packed with dozens of security personnel and lawyers, and the head of the trial bench ordered a protester to sit down and read out his decision.
The judge sentenced the air force pilots who bombed the capital, Ankara, and civilians to life in prison, where the bombing was part of a coup. The men were charged with murder, violating the constitution and attempting to assassinate Erdogan. “Justice has been done today, we believe the sentences were handed down in accordance with the existing laws and we are satisfied,” said a lawyer representing the affected families. During this failed coup attempt, the then Chief of Army Staff, Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar, and other front-line commanders were detained overnight at a military base, after which they were released on the morning of July 16. Was releasedF-16s have repeatedly bombed parliament, the road near the presidential palace, military headquarters and Ankara police headquarters. President Tayyip Erdogan was on holiday in southern Turkey at the time of the attack. At least 68 people were killed and more than 200 were injured in the bombings nine people were also killed as they tried to prevent planners from entering the military base.
