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Turkey Ergenekon case: Ex-army chief Basbug gets life Turkey Ergenekon case: Ex-army chief Basbug gets life
(about 1 hour later)
Turkey's former armed forces chief has been jailed for life for plotting to overthrow the government, after five years of trials involving officers, lawyers, writers and journalists.Turkey's former armed forces chief has been jailed for life for plotting to overthrow the government, after five years of trials involving officers, lawyers, writers and journalists.
Gen Ilker Basbug was among dozens of people convicted of involvement in the so-called Ergenekon plot.Gen Ilker Basbug was among dozens of people convicted of involvement in the so-called Ergenekon plot.
Critics of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have accused him of staging show trials to eliminate his enemies.Critics of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have accused him of staging show trials to eliminate his enemies.
His supporters say the trials have pushed the military out of politics.His supporters say the trials have pushed the military out of politics.
Verdicts are being read out one by one at a specially constructed courtroom in Istanbul. Gen Basbug, who led the military between 2008 and 2010, was among at least five generals to be jailed for life on Monday at a specially constructed courtroom west of Istanbul.
Twenty-one people have been acquitted and some 40 convicted so far, including at least one journalist and a police chief. After the verdict, he wrote on his Twitter page: "Those on the side of the truth and righteous, that is on the side of justice, have a clear conscience. That is how I am."
Gen Basbug, who led the military between 2008 and 2010, had rejected all the charges against him. At least 21 people were acquitted, but dozens of others received lengthy sentences:
Tear gasTear gas
The plot allegedly aimed to topple the government led by Mr Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP).The plot allegedly aimed to topple the government led by Mr Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP).
The defendants faced charges ranging from membership of Ergenekon, an alleged underground terrorist network, to illegally possessing weapons and instigating an armed uprising against the AKP.The defendants faced charges ranging from membership of Ergenekon, an alleged underground terrorist network, to illegally possessing weapons and instigating an armed uprising against the AKP.
Prosecutors had demanded life imprisonment for Gen Basbug and 63 others, including nine other generals.Prosecutors had demanded life imprisonment for Gen Basbug and 63 others, including nine other generals.
The court is sitting at the high-security Silivri prison complex, west of Istanbul, where the general is being held.The court is sitting at the high-security Silivri prison complex, west of Istanbul, where the general is being held.
Hundreds of riot police fired tear gas to disperse some 1,000 protesters who were marching outside the court.Hundreds of riot police fired tear gas to disperse some 1,000 protesters who were marching outside the court.
Akif Hamzacebi, an MP with the Republican People's Party, said the nation would not accept Gen Basbug's conviction.
"If you are trying someone who has been the commander of the Turkish armed forces for being a member of a terrorist organisation, that means you are targeting and trying the army of the Republic of Turkey," he said.
The case is being seen as a key test in Mr Erdogan's showdown with secularist and military opponents.The case is being seen as a key test in Mr Erdogan's showdown with secularist and military opponents.
Since he came to power in 2002, hundreds of military officers - serving or retired - have been arrested.Since he came to power in 2002, hundreds of military officers - serving or retired - have been arrested.
Critics say there is little evidence for the charges and accuse the government of trying to silence its secularist opponents.Critics say there is little evidence for the charges and accuse the government of trying to silence its secularist opponents.
Critics have complained that the Ergenekon investigation has focused on opponents of the AKP. The government denies any such motive. Mr Erdogan has denied any political interference in the case.
Monday's sentencing hearing is the culmination of a number of trials that began in 2008.Monday's sentencing hearing is the culmination of a number of trials that began in 2008.
As the investigation widened, dozens more suspects were held, and their cases were eventually folded into the main trial.As the investigation widened, dozens more suspects were held, and their cases were eventually folded into the main trial.
Some of the suspects have been in custody awaiting verdicts for five years.Some of the suspects have been in custody awaiting verdicts for five years.
Rights groups have raised concerns over the conduct of the trials.Rights groups have raised concerns over the conduct of the trials.
Turkey's military has long seen itself as the guarantor of the secular constitution.Turkey's military has long seen itself as the guarantor of the secular constitution.
It staged three coups between 1960 and 1980 and has a history of tension with the AKP.It staged three coups between 1960 and 1980 and has a history of tension with the AKP.
The AKP is considered a successor to the Welfare Party, an Islamist party that led a government forced to resign by an army-led campaign in 1997.The AKP is considered a successor to the Welfare Party, an Islamist party that led a government forced to resign by an army-led campaign in 1997.