Nineteen military officers, civilians handed life sentence over 2016 coup attempt

Ankara's Sincan Prison (Photo: AA)

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A court has sentenced several former military officers and civilians to aggravated life imprisonment in the case concerning the failed coup attempt in July 2016.

The defendants were charged with "attempted overthrow" and being a member of the "Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ)," an Islamic group led by US-based cleric Fethullah Gülen that formerly allied with the government but was declared as a "terrorist organization" in May 2016.

In the trial on the role of officers at the Akıncı Airbase in Ankara, the capital, Ankara 4th Heavy Penal Court handed 79 aggravated life sentences to 15 former soldiers, including pilots who bombed Ankara, and four civilian "covert imams," who were present at the base on the night of the coup.

All of the defendants were also sentenced to 3,901 years and six months in prison for "attempting to intentionally kill", "attempting to deprive a person of liberty" and "depriving a person of liberty."

Former pilot Capt. Huseyin Türk, former pilot Maj. Mustafa Azimetli and ex-pilot Lt. Col. Hasan Husnu Balikci were handed 79 aggravated life sentences and 3,901 years and six months in prison.

Former pilot Capt. Uğur Uzunoğlu, who bombed the Police Special Operations Department while being on the same plane with Huseyin Turk, was also given 45 aggravated life sentences and 1,170 years in prison for deliberately killing 44 people, attempting to violate the constitutional order and attempting deliberate murder.

Meanwhile, former fighter pilot Muslim Macit, who martyred 15 people near the presidential complex during the coup attempt, received 16 aggravated life sentences.

The court also sentenced former lieutenant Mustafa Mete Kaygusuz to 79 aggravated life sentences for sending bombing instructions to planes.

Former Incirlik 10th Tanker Base Commander Bekir Ercan Van was handed 79 aggravated life sentences for providing fuel for the pilots.

Also, civilians Kemal Batmaz, Hakan Çiçek, Nurettin Oruç and Harun Biniş each received 79 aggravated life sentences.

According to the indictment, these four people who are also known as "imams," as well as the fugitive Adil Öksüz, made preparations for the coup after a green light from Fethullah Gülen.

This was one of the major trials related to the coup attempt of July 15, 2016. (HA/VK)