More Turks in 'coup plot' charges

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Eight Turks, including some top academics, have become the latest people charged in connection with an alleged plot to topple the government.

Professor Mehmet Haberal, the rector of Baskent University in Ankara, was among those detained.

Some 142 people have already been charged over the "Ergenekon" plot, allegedly meant to stoke unrest and provoke the army into launching a coup.

Critics say the ruling AK Party is simply targeting its secular opponents.

Mr Haberal was arrested earlier this week. He had in recent months organised meetings with opponents of the AKP, which has its roots in political Islam, reportedly with the intention of forming a new political movement.

Others charged on Friday included the former rectors of two other universities, and other prominent secularists, including a journalist for the Cumhuriyet newspaper.

'PKK' arrests

Meanwhile Turkish police announced the arrest of 43 people suspected of links to the Kurdish militant separatist group the PKK.

Raids were carried out across the country, from Izmir in the west to Batman in the south-east and the capital Ankara.

It was the second major operation in the space of a few days. Earlier this week around 50 people were arrested, including senior members of the main legal Kurdish party, the Democratic Society Party (DTP).

The party branded the move a government attempt to weaken it following gains made in recent local elections.