Aggravated life sentences sought for coup-tied soldiers

By Yunus Ege and Muhammed Enes Can

ISTANBUL

Istanbul prosecutors are seeking three times aggravated life sentences for 90 soldiers who allegedly tried to occupy the Istanbul governor's building during the July 15 defeated coup, a judicial source said Wednesday.

The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office prepared and sent the indictment for the 90 soldiers – 12 of them already in custody – to Istanbul's 13th High Criminal Court on Wednesday, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

In the indictment, the soldiers are accused of subverting the constitutional order through violence, being members of an armed terror group, and conducting activities on behalf of the FETO terrorist organization without being a member.

Led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen, FETO is accused of orchestrating the July 15 coup plot in Turkey as well as being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

The July 15 defeated coup left 248 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.