Court indicts 117 soldiers over July 2016 defeated coup

By Muhammed Enes Can

ISTANBUL (AA) - Istanbul prosecutors Saturday filed an indictment against 117 soldiers alleged to have taken part in the deadly July 2017 coup attempt directed by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

Eleven people were injured the night of July 15 when the soldiers tried to take control of Istanbul's Kartal Bridge and Samandira toll booth, says the indictment.

Under the indictment, the suspects -- 30 of whom are now in jail pending trial -- will each face three life sentences plus an additional 15 years.

Four high-ranking soldiers among the group also face up to 28 additional years in jail for "malicious wounding".

Turkey's government says the defeated coup, which left 249 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured, was organized by followers of Fetullah Gulen, and his FETO network.

Gulen is accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.