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Turkey charges 86 for 'coup plot' | |
(20 minutes later) | |
A top Turkish prosecutor has brought charges against 86 people allegedly involved in a coup plot. | |
Aykut Cengiz Engin did not name those charged, but the indictment follows the arrest of two retired senior generals, leading businessmen and journalists. | |
The charges follow years of speculation about a shadowy group of hardline nationalists determined to defend the country's secular values. | |
Tensions have been rising in Turkey amid efforts to close the ruling party. | |
The Constitutional Court is considering a case against the AK Party, in which it is accused of aiming to introduce Sharia law in Turkey, in contravention of the strictly secular constitution. | |
The Turkish prime minister and president - both AKP members - are both named in that case and could be barred from office. They and the party reject the charges and say they are part of a campaign against the party. | |
On Monday prosecutor Mr Engin filed charges at an Istanbul court against 86 people, 48 of whom are already in custody. | |
"The indictment covers crimes such as forming an armed terror group... and attempting to overthrow the government by force," Mr Engin said. |