17 November 2016•Update: 18 November 2016
KONYA, Turkey
Seventeen Turkish military pilots were remanded in custody on Thursday pending trial on treason and terrorism charges relating to the July 15 coup attempt, a security official said.
The Turkish Armed Forces officers were among 21 flyers sent to court after giving testimony to prosecutors in Konya, central Turkey. Four others were released under judicial control, the official said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.
The suspects were among the 47 pilots, including lieutenants and ex-lieutenants, arrested across Turkey earlier this month following the issuing of arrest warrants by prosecutors in Konya.
The other suspects have been released under judicial control, apart from one who was released with no further action to be taken after giving evidence.
They face charges of violating the constitution, treason and membership of a terrorist organization, namely the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) that is held responsible for orchestrating the attempted coup, which saw 246 people martyred.
The government has alleged the group, which is led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen, is behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.
In the wake of the coup attempt tens of thousands FETO suspects have been arrested, including many in the armed forces, police, justice system and education sector.
Reporting by Metin Bolat ; Didar Yusra Dilbura Oz
