Former head of Turkey’s military to go on trial

Published on Thursday 16 February 2012 02:26

the former head of Turkey’s armed forces is to go on trial after judges agreed there were sufficient grounds to prosecute him on charges of attempting to overthrow the government.

The case of General Ilker Basbug, military chief of staff from 2008 to 2010, is one of a series of prosecutions and judicial inquiries that have engulfed the former secular establishment, but have now also touched on figures close to the government, suggesting a power struggle within the state.

Basbug, held in a high-security prison, is the most senior officer among hundreds of secularists charged with conspiring to topple prime minister Tayyip Erdogan’s government because of its roots in political Islam.

Basbug will be tried on charges of “attempting to overthrow the government of the Republic of Turkey and obstructing it in its duties” and “forming and directing an armed terrorist group for this purpose”.

The case against him is focused on anti-government propaganda published on websites the military was accused of running until 2008.