Life sentences sought for FETÖ terror suspects

Istanbul prosecutors on Monday demanded aggravated life imprisonment for six suspects over alleged links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group behind last year’s defeated coup in Turkey, a judicial source said.

Appearing in court, three of the suspects -- Nazlı Ilıcak, Ahmet Altan, and Şükrü Tuğrul Özşengül -- were charged with attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The suspects are also accused of attempting to overthrow the Turkish government and parliament.

FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 that martyred 250 people and injured nearly 2,200 others.

Ankara accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

In the wake of the putsch attempt, tens of thousands of FETÖ suspects have been arrested, including many in the armed forces, police, judicial system, education, and business sectors.