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Turkey set for mass terror trial Turkey set for mass terror trial
(about 5 hours later)
More than 80 people are set to go on trial in Turkey on charges including armed insurrection, aiding a terror group and possession of explosives.More than 80 people are set to go on trial in Turkey on charges including armed insurrection, aiding a terror group and possession of explosives.
They are accused of belonging to a shadowy ultra-nationalist network known as Ergenekon.They are accused of belonging to a shadowy ultra-nationalist network known as Ergenekon.
Prosecutors say the group plotted a series of attacks aimed at provoking the military into carrying out a coup.Prosecutors say the group plotted a series of attacks aimed at provoking the military into carrying out a coup.
The trial may revive underlying tensions between the country's ruling political party and the military.The trial may revive underlying tensions between the country's ruling political party and the military.
The governing AKP has Islamic roots, whereas the military is part of the powerful secular establishment and staunch defenders of a unitary, strong, secular state.The governing AKP has Islamic roots, whereas the military is part of the powerful secular establishment and staunch defenders of a unitary, strong, secular state.
Officers on trialOfficers on trial
This trial is unusual in a number of ways.This trial is unusual in a number of ways.
Firstly, there is the sheer size of it.Firstly, there is the sheer size of it.
The there is the fact the defendants include retired Turkish military officers. That's something which would have been unthinkable only a few years ago, given the power of the military, which has mounted three coups since 1960 and, in 1997, eased the country's first pro Islamist prime minister from power. Then there is the fact the defendants include retired Turkish military officers. That's something which would have been unthinkable only a few years ago, given the power of the military, which has mounted three coups since 1960 and, in 1997, eased the country's first pro Islamist prime minister from power.
PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists he does not have an Islamist agendaPM Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists he does not have an Islamist agenda
Then there is the nature and scope of the charges, some of which would not seem out of place in a Hollywood thriller.Then there is the nature and scope of the charges, some of which would not seem out of place in a Hollywood thriller.
But many Turks regard the trial as the latest stage in an ongoing power struggle between Turkey's secular nationalist establishment and the governing AKP.But many Turks regard the trial as the latest stage in an ongoing power struggle between Turkey's secular nationalist establishment and the governing AKP.
The alleged plotters were indicted this summer, shortly before a decision in a court case aimed at closing down the AKP for allegedly becoming a focus for anti-secular activities.The alleged plotters were indicted this summer, shortly before a decision in a court case aimed at closing down the AKP for allegedly becoming a focus for anti-secular activities.
Government critics believe the timing was no coincidence.Government critics believe the timing was no coincidence.
Some of them maintain the so-called Ergenekon network simply doesn't exist; many others believe this trial is the AKP's revenge for the closure case, which in the end did not suceed in the Constitutional Court.Some of them maintain the so-called Ergenekon network simply doesn't exist; many others believe this trial is the AKP's revenge for the closure case, which in the end did not suceed in the Constitutional Court.
Meanwhile government supporters portray it as a step towards accountability and democracy by taking much needed action against so called "deep state" nationalist groups, who have previously been virtually untouchable.Meanwhile government supporters portray it as a step towards accountability and democracy by taking much needed action against so called "deep state" nationalist groups, who have previously been virtually untouchable.
The military denies any links to such groups.The military denies any links to such groups.
Turks will watch this case closely, but it could be months, or even years, before there is a result.Turks will watch this case closely, but it could be months, or even years, before there is a result.