Alleged coup ringleaders appear before Turkish court

By Ferdi Turkten

ANKARA

Two army officers alleged to be among the leaders of last week’s failed coup in Turkey were remanded in custody when they appeared separately in court late Tuesday, a military official said.

Lt. Gen. Metin Iyidil, commander of the Land Forces Training and Doctrine Command, and Col. Muharrem Kose, the former legal adviser to the chief of general staff, appeared in different courts in capital Ankara, the official said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The source did not reveal the exact charges against the officers.

Meanwhile, the head of the gendarmerie, Gen. Galip Mendi, was relieved of duty late Tuesday due to illness. Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Yasar was appointed acting chief of the service.

Nearly 1,000 suspected coup supporters have been remanded to custody by courts following Friday’s coup attempt, including 72 other high-ranking military members.

At least 240 people were killed in the attempt to overthrow the government, including 173 civilians.