486 suspects appeared in court for Turkey’s biggest coup trial

The largest trial over Turkey’s coup attempt last year started in Ankara on Tuesday, with 486 suspects appeared in court.

The suspects are accused of being involved in the events at the Akinci Air Base, where commands were given for F-16 fighter jets to attack the Turkish Parliament, the Special Forces Police Headquarters and the satellite center on the night of the coup attempt.

Former air commander Akin Ozturk is among the suspects who are charged with the crimes ranging from violating the constitution, murder, attempting to overturn the government, managing an armed terrorist organization, seizing military bases, attempting to assassinate the president and deprivation of liberty.

A total of 461 suspects are held in custody with 18 suspects are being tried without arrest and seven on the run.

On July 15, 2016, coup plotters' attempt was thwarted with the help of citizens resisting putschist soldiers on the streets. At least 250 people were killed and more than 2,000 were injured during the coup attempt.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)