Turkey: 68 more people remanded over coup attempt

ANKARA

An Ankara court has remanded 68 people in custody early Tuesday over their alleged connections with Friday's deadly coup attempt.

The suspects, including military officers, students and soldiers, have been charged with “violating the Constitution”, “attempting to assault the President”, “crime against a legislative organ”, “crime against government”, “being members of an armed terrorist organization” and “intentional killing”.

According to Turkey's Penal Code Article 309, any person found guilty of these charges "will be punished with heavy life imprisonment.”

The other 21 suspects were released under judicial control.

The deadly coup attempt happened late on Friday when rogue elements of the Turkish military tried to overthrow the country's democratically elected government.

At least 208 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were martyred in Istanbul and Ankara and nearly 1,500 others wounded as they protested against the coup.

The government has said the attempted coup was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through supporters within the Turkish state, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming the so-called parallel state.

*Diyar Guldogan contributed to this report from Ankara.