JURIST - Paper Chase: Turkish court accepts indictment against former president

[JURIST] The Ankara 12th High Criminal Court accepted an indictment on Tuesday charging former Turkish president Kenan Evren [official website] with crimes against the state in relation to the 1980 coup. The ex-president was the head of the 1980 military coup that overthrew the existing government and ended the violence between the left and right-wing groups. The former air force chief Tahsin Sahinkaya was also included in the indictment. They are the only two survivors of the five men who planned the coup. Evren was first questioned in June when Article 15 of the Constitution [text], which has given immunity to the leaders of the coup, was amended. The prosecution is seeking life imprisonment. The trial date has not yet been set.

The acceptance of the indictment came after the prosecution charged the two men [JURIST report] last week. Turkey has been facing numerous coup plots during the past years and continues to bring charges against military officials and individuals for such crimes against the government. In November, 13 Turkish journalists were accused of plotting [JURIST report] to overthrow the government. In August, the court also issued arrest warrants [JURIST report] for seven generals and admirals in relation with allegations that they created an anti-government website in 2009. After detainment for questioning three high ranking military officials in connection with their alleged coup plot, the Turkish court released [JURIST report] them but they remained under investigation.