Heavy life sentences sought for 267 FETO suspects

ANKARA

Prosecutors are seeking aggravated life sentences for over 250 people suspected of participating in the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey, a judicial source said on Wednesday.

The suspects are accused over incidents at the 58th Artillery Brigade and Command of Artillery and Missile School in the capital Ankara's Polatli district, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 that martyred 250 people and injured nearly 2,200 others.

At the 13th Heavy Criminal Court in Ankara, 267 of 330 suspects stand accused of violating the constitutional order.

Prosecutor Hamza Yokus also requested the release of another 62 rank-and-file soldiers and a civil servant.

The court ordered the continued detention of the suspects in question.

Reporting by Tanju Ozkaya:Writing by Sena Guler