ISTANBUL — In one of the final mass trials stemming from the failed 2016 coup in Turkey, an Ankara court sentenced 32 former soldiers to life in prison Wednesday for attempting to oust Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
A total of 497 defendants, including former soldiers in the presidential guard regiment, stood trial in the Sincan courthouse just outside Ankara. Among those convicted of “violating the constitutional order” were former military officials who attempted to take over the military headquarters in Ankara and the national broadcaster TRT.
The coup attempt left about 250 people dead and shook the nation, leading to an ongoing crackdown on government opponents and mass dismissals of public servants suspected of supporting Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric Ankara accuses of fomenting the failed putsch. Gulen denies the charges and the United States has yet to fulfill a request for his extradition by the Turkish government .
High-profile defendants issued life sentences Wednesday included former Lt. Col. Umit Gencer, who led collaborators into the TRT building and forced a television presenter to read out a military coup declaration. Former Col. Muhammet Tanju Poshor, who ordered the takeover of TRT, was issued two life sentences, while former Maj. Fedakar Akca was sentenced to life for attempting to seize the military headquarters.
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