Turkish prosecutors file second indictment in Ergenekon case

The 1,909-page additional indictment in the ongoing Ergenekon case means that more than hundred people in Turkey will stand trial on charges of forming an illegal organization to provoke a series of events that would pave the way for a military coup.Â

 

The High Criminal Court in Istanbul will have two weeks to decide whether to approve the indictment, and if approved, the trial process will start for the 56 suspects named, 21 of who are currently being held in prison.Â

 

The second indictment relates to those detained after the sixth wave of the operation on July 1, 2008 and includes retired generals and prominent journalists. Over 80 people were named and are currently standing trial in the first indictment filed in 2008.

 

The indictment accuses retired generals Sener Eruygur and Hursit Tolon of masterminding the so-called Ergenekon organization. Prosecutors are demanding the charge carry a maximum penalty of a life sentence in solitary confinement and with no possibility of parole.

 

In the second indictment, consisted of five chapters, twelve suspects were accused of "leading an illegal organization" while eight of them also face the accusation of "attempting to overthrow the Turkish government by using force", the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office said in a statement.

 

The indictment will be kept confidential until the court decides whether to proceed.Â

 

A third indictment will be submitted as part of the investigation relating to a further 77 people, including 48 being held in custody pending charges, detained in later waves of the case.

 

The controversial Ergenekon operation, which started in June 2007 with the discovery of grenades in a house in Istanbul’s Umraniye district, is allegedly a crackdown on an illegal organization believed to be planning provoking events that would pave the way for a military coup to overthrow the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. Â

 

The case has divided the nation with many believing the government are using it as an excuse to suppress its opposition.