Turkey coup trial to begin
The Turkish court will hear the case against 86 people accused of being members of an armed group
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Monday, 20, Oct 2008 09:57
A Turkish court is set to begin hearing a case against 86 people accused of being members of an armed group which plotted to overthrow the country's government.
The group will answer around 30 separate charges ranging from membership to a terrorist organisation and instigating an armed uprising against the government to arson and illegal possession of weapons.
Among the 86 people on trial are retired army officers, politicians, academics and journalists.
The Ergenekon group is alleged to have been responsible for two violent attacks, including the bombing of a secularist newspaper in 2006.
Reports suggest the high-profile trial may restart tensions between the ruling AKP party, which has Islamic roots, and the secularist military.
The 2,455-page indictment claims that the Ergenekon group is not institutionally linked to the Turkish military, but has penetrated senior ranks in the army.
The prosecution claims the suspects instigated violence and planned assassinations to provoke political turmoil in Turkey and topple the AKP.