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August 6, 2013

Turkey: Court Sentences Former Military Chief to Life in Prison for Coup Plot 
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Clashes have erupted in Turkey after a court sentenced former military
chief Ilker Basburg to life in prison for trying to overthrow the
government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The court
sentenced scores of other military officers, journalists and
politicians, including three current members of parliament from the
opposition Republican People's Party. Opposition lawmaker Akif Hamzacebi
condemned the court's decision.

Akif Hamzacebi: "The judiciary sentenced a military commander to life in
prison. This is a threat to the Turkish military and is unacceptable. If
you put a commander, who was the head of the army, on trial as a member
of a terrorist organization, it means you are targeting the army of the
Turkish Republic. People will not accept this."

The case has highlighted tensions between the Islamist-led government,
Turkey's secular establishment and the rising tide of protesters seeking
alternatives. Following the verdicts, riot police fired tear gas and
rubber bullets as some 10,000 protesters massed near the courthouse.

 

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