Life sentences sought for 7 FETO suspects

By Baris Kilic and Serdar Acil

ANKARA (AA) – An Ankara prosecutor on Wednesday sought life sentences for seven suspects in a top case related to 2016’s deadly coup attempt by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), said a judicial source.

Among the suspects, who have been jailed pending trial, are former lawmaker Ilhan Isbilen and Hidayet Karaca, the former chairman of Samanyolu TV (STV).

Adnan Gumus, the chief prosecutor at criminal court No. 4., where the case is being heard, requested aggravated life sentences for the suspects in one of the major cases involving 75 defendants.

The suspects are mainly accused of attempting to overthrow the government, setting up an armed terror group and violating the constitution as well as forging official documents, political and military spying and abusing religious sentiments.

Gumus also demanded the continuation of detention of the defendants in question.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured, according to the Turkish government.