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
