Soldiers face three life sentences each for Istanbul airport leg of coup attempt

İsmail Saymaz – ISTANBUL

A total of 62 soldiers face three life sentences each for attempting to seize Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport during the July 15 coup attempt following the completion of an indictment into the case.

A captain and 61 specialized sergeants, noncommissioned officers and a soldier attempted to seize the airport during the coup bid, but were prevented from doing so by government supporters and the police. 

The 62 suspects are charged with “attempting to abrogate the constitutional order, the Turkish parliament and the government” and “membership in an armed organization” in the 189-page indictment. The prosecutor sought three life sentences each for “attempting to abrogate the constitutional order, the Turkish parliament and the government” and 15 years each for the other charge.

On the night of the failed coup attempt, a tank and soldiers arrived at Sabiha Gökçen Airport at around 11 p.m. in order to seize it but were prevented from doing so. An investigation was launched after the incident, and 28 soldiers are currently under arrest in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office was preparing to open 17 different cases for the putschist soldiers, as investigations into coup activity that occurred at Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Atatürk International Airport, the first Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul Municipality and Vodafone Arena Stadium will be handled as separate cases. 

A total of 248 people died during the failed coup attempt, widely believed to have been masterminded by the followers of the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen.