Ankara (Turkey): Authorities have indicted 33 people in an alleged secularist plot to destabilize Turkey and overthrow the government.
The 33 are accused of planning assassinations of prominent members of Turkey's Christian and Jewish minorities and other sensational attacks to foment chaos and bring down the Islamic-oriented government.
The suspects include three retired or active-duty admirals and dozens of other military officers. Trial is set for June 15.
Hundreds of civilians, retired and active-duty officers are already on trial on charges of an apparently separate plot against the government. Turkey also recently detained and charged nearly 40 other officers for plotting a coup.
Secularists believe the arrests are a government effort to intimidate them through the courts.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, March 19, 2010, 20:17