Ex-soldiers get aggravated life term on FETO charge

By Murat Kaya,Murat Paksoy

ISTANBUL

A Turkish court on Wednesday sentenced seven former military officers to aggravated life imprisonment over their involvement in a deadly coup attempt in 2016.

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

The 27th High Penal Court issued a verdict for former military officers, including Yalova Air Field Commander ex-colonel Metin Yildirim, former Staff Major Mehmet Gurler, lieutenants Sabri Caliskan and Faruk Simsek, sergeant Hasan Yildirim, and helicopter pilots in the 5th Fleet Command of Air War Academy and former lieutenants Hasan Kaya and Tuncay Yildirim.

They were found guilty of attempting to change the constitutional order by using force. Three other suspects received several prison terms for being member of the terror group and attempting a coup.

The court released six suspects in the same case.

By Murat Kaya,Murat Paksoy

ISTANBUL

A Turkish court on Wednesday sentenced seven former military officers to aggravated life imprisonment over their involvement in a deadly coup attempt in 2016.

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

They were found guilty of attempting to change the constitutional order by using force. Three other suspects received several prison terms for being member of the terror group and attempting a coup.

The court released six suspects in the same case.