143 more suspects charged in Balyoz case

A third indictment in the ongoing “Balyoz” (Sledgehammer) trial over alleged coup plans was submitted to the court on Nov. 11.

Hüseyin Ayar, a prosecutor with special authority, seeks conviction for 143 suspects, 66 of whom are currently under arrest, on accusations of attempting to topple the government by using force.

The 10th Court for Serious Crimes in Istanbul, which deals with the Sledgehammer case, is expected to decide whether to accept the 264-page indictment or send it back to the prosecutors. It should announce its decision within 15 days.

The suspects in the third indictment in the ongoing trial include Lt. Gen. Korcan Pulatsü, Ziya Güler and Brig. Gen. Kubilay Baloğlu.

The prosecutors also demanded the case be merged with the ongoing trial. The total number of suspects in the Balzyoz case will be 367 if the demand is approved.

The leading suspect in the trial is the retired commander of the First Army, Çetin Doğan, who faces 15 to 20 years in prison. Doğan’s latest appeal to be released pending trial was rejected Nov. 11 by the court.

Sledgehammer is an alleged military coup plot against the leading Justice and Development Party, or AKP, drafted in 2003.

According to the allegations, the military planned drastic measures to foment unrest in the country in order to remove the AKP from power.

Compiled from Doğan news agency and Anatolia news agency reports by the Daily News staff.