Turkey: Coup Plotters Get Aggravated Life Sentences

A Turkish court on Wednesday handed down aggravated life sentences to scores of convicts for their involvement in the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey, according to judicial sources.


The 19th Ankara Heavy Criminal Court gave an aggravated life sentence to Umit Gencer, a former lieutenant colonel who forced an anchorwoman to read out the military coup order on the state television TRT, for "violating the constitutional order."

Muhammet Tanju Poshor, a former colonel who ordered to take control of the TRT building, was handed down two aggravated life sentences.

Former Lt. Col. Ekrem Isik and former Maj. Anil Aktas were given aggravated life sentences for "violating the constitutional order."

Fedakar Akca, a former major who led a team that went from the Presidential Guard Regiment to the General Staff Headquarters, was also given an aggravated life sentence.

Former Maj. Halil Cinar got an aggravated life sentence for "violating the constitutional order," while another convict, Huseyin Turan, got a life sentence.

Osman Koltarla, a former major responsible for the security of the Presidential Complex, was sentenced to life in prison.

A total of eight suspects working in the Special Forces Command were sentenced to seven years and six months in prison for "being a member of an armed terrorist organization."

Ali Yazici, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's former military aide; Emin Guven, a former lieutenant colonel, Murat Dayi and Enver Aygun, so-called covert imams – senior FETO members – also got life sentences.

Former Col. Muhsin Kutsi Baris, an ex-commander at the Presidential Guard Regiment, was also sentenced to 61 years and six months in prison for "violating the constitutional order" and "depriving a person's liberty."

FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and 2,734 injured.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary. -