This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7685605.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Turkey 'plotters' trial resumes Turkey 'plotters' trial resumes
(about 17 hours later)
The trial has resumed in Turkey of 86 people charged with involvement in armed unrest and aiding a terror group.The trial has resumed in Turkey of 86 people charged with involvement in armed unrest and aiding a terror group.
The suspects are accused of belonging to a shadowy ultra-nationalist network which allegedly plotted attacks to provoke a military coup. The suspects are accused of belonging to a shadowy ultra-nationalist network that allegedly plotted attacks to provoke a military coup.
The trial opened on Monday but was soon adjourned amid chaos in the courtroom and protests by the suspects' backers. But the hearing was limited to the 46 defendants held in custody, to avoid a repeat of chaotic scenes on Monday.
The trial may revive tensions between the Islamist-rooted ruling AK Party and the secular military, analysts say.The trial may revive tensions between the Islamist-rooted ruling AK Party and the secular military, analysts say.
The remaining 40 defendants - who are on bail - will give testimony in separate hearings.
The 2,455-page indictment holds the group - known as Ergenekon - responsible for at least two violent attacks - the bombing of a secularist newspaper in 2006 and an attack on a court the same year, in which a judge was killed.The 2,455-page indictment holds the group - known as Ergenekon - responsible for at least two violent attacks - the bombing of a secularist newspaper in 2006 and an attack on a court the same year, in which a judge was killed.
Attacks on those key parts of the secular establishment were supposed to provoke Turkey's military into launching a coup in defence of secular interests, it is alleged.Attacks on those key parts of the secular establishment were supposed to provoke Turkey's military into launching a coup in defence of secular interests, it is alleged.
The suspects deny the charges, saying they are politically motivated.The suspects deny the charges, saying they are politically motivated.
'Patriots''Patriots'
Among the 86 suspects charged at the Silivri prison-court are retired army officers, politicians, academics and journalists.Among the 86 suspects charged at the Silivri prison-court are retired army officers, politicians, academics and journalists.
To limit the number of lawyers... is a breach of the right of defence Trial lawyer Shadowy forces under microscope
They are alleged to be members of the Ergenekon group.They are alleged to be members of the Ergenekon group.
So much of the buzz surrounding this trial is over whether Turkey's 'deep state' will finally be exposed and eradicated Shadowy forces under microscope
When the trial opened on Monday, the presiding judge asked spectators and reporters to leave the tiny courtroom, amid overcrowding and protests by defence lawyers that they could not work in such conditions.When the trial opened on Monday, the presiding judge asked spectators and reporters to leave the tiny courtroom, amid overcrowding and protests by defence lawyers that they could not work in such conditions.
Outside the courtroom, scores of demonstrators with Turkish flags held a protest rally. Many of them chanted: "The traitors are in parliament, the patriots are in prison."Outside the courtroom, scores of demonstrators with Turkish flags held a protest rally. Many of them chanted: "The traitors are in parliament, the patriots are in prison."
As proceedings began to descend into disarray, the presiding judge decided to halt the trial. As proceedings began to descend into disarray, the presiding judge decided to halt the trial and the court then imposed the restrictions on who would attend the first hearing.
The court then decided that it would first hear testimonies of the 46 suspects in custody, while the remaining 40 defendants - who are on bail - would give testimony in separate hearings. A limit was also put on the number of lawyers, journalists and spectators who could be present in the courtroom, prompting some lawyers to complain that their clients' human rights had been impaired.
It also said that only a limited number of reporters could be present in the courtroom. "To limit the number of lawyers when the indictment is 2,455 pages long and there are 450 folders of annexes is a breach of the right of defence," one lawyer told the court.
On Thursday, the court is considering a demand by the defendants to replace the judges because of their alleged bias, Turkey's Anatolia news agency reports.
'Deep state''Deep state'
The trial is unusual in a number of ways: the sheer size of it and the fact that the defendants include retired Turkish military officers, the BBC's Pam O'Toole says.The trial is unusual in a number of ways: the sheer size of it and the fact that the defendants include retired Turkish military officers, the BBC's Pam O'Toole says.
PM Erdogan insists his AK Party does not have an Islamist agendaPM Erdogan insists his AK Party does not have an Islamist agenda
This is something that 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, our correspondent says.This is something that 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, our correspondent says.
Then there is the nature and scope of the charges, some of which would not seem out of place in a Hollywood thriller, she adds.Then there is the nature and scope of the charges, some of which would not seem out of place in a Hollywood thriller, she adds.
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.
Some believe this trial is the AKP's revenge for an attempt to have the party closed down by the Constitutional Court; others maintain the Ergenekon network simply does not exist.Some believe this trial is the AKP's revenge for an attempt to have the party closed down by the Constitutional Court; others maintain the Ergenekon network simply does not exist.