PM applies to intervene in key coup attempt trial

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım on Monday applied to intervene in the trial of nearly 500 suspects accused of administering the July 15 coup attempt from the Akıncı Base.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party also requested to intervene in the case last week.

Among the 486 suspects are army generals and pilots. The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) members are on trial for crimes that include violating the constitution, attempting to assassinate the president, and trying to abolish the republic and seizing military headquarters.

Putschists used Akıncı Air Base as their headquarters during the coup. Military chief Hulusi Akar and other commanders were held captive for several hours at the base on the night of the coup.

FETÖ terrorists are led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gülen, who orchestrated Turkey's July 15 coup attempt and is the mastermind behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

Since the failed coup, operations have been ongoing in the military, police and judiciary as well as in state institutions across the country to arrest suspects with alleged links to FETÖ.

The terrorist group is also known for its network comprised of hundreds of schools around the world.