Turkey: Former commander, 24 others get life sentences

ANKARA (AA) - A Turkish court on Friday gave life sentences to 25 people, including a former coast guard commander, for their links to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), according to a judicial official.

A case involving 28 people were charged over the incidents on the night of defeated coup attempt at a naval base in the Golcuk district of northwestern province of Kocaeli.

Ankara’s 17th High Criminal Court sentenced 25 suspects -- including ex-Coast Guard Commander Hakan Ustem -- to life sentences for violating the Constitution.

The court also ordered the release of three privates, the official, who asked not to be identified due to the restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Thousands of defendants in such cases are accused of being members of FETO, which attempted to overthrow the government and the country’s constitutional order and commit murder on the night of July 15, 2016.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup bid, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.