Send to Kindle
Kenan Evren, one of the leaders of Turkey's 1980 military coup. Photo by the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey
A Turkish court has issued a life sentence for former President Kenan Evren and former air force commander Tahsin Sahinkaya.
Evren, 96, and 89-year-old Sahinkaya were found guilty of crimes against the state, Hurriyet Daily News reported.
The trial against the two men known to be behind the military takeover on September 12, 1980 started in 2012, but both failed to appear at the court's sittings due to ill health. Their testimony was delivered to court through video conferences from their beds in hospital.
Both Evren and Sahinkaya were as well stripped of military ranks.
The Prosecution first insisted that they be given an aggravated life sentence, but magistrates decided to ignore their calls due to "attenuating circumstances".
Turkey saw in 1980 its third coup d'etat since it was founded as a republic in 1923.
In an environment of political and social tensions fomented by international antagonism during the Cold War, the military stepped in, allegedly to bring order, and ruled over the next three years.
Fifty executions were performed and about 500 000 people were arrested within that period.
Evren remained President after the military years. He was Turkey's head of state between 1980 and 1989.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
Amid escalating tensions on its borders and a significant increase in the Ministry of National Defense budget, Romania is discreetly preparing for the reintroduction of compulsory military service
Amid escalating tensions and a renewed Russian offensive, the United States is poised to deliver much-needed military aid to Ukraine following prolonged delays and uncertainties, signaling a crucial lifeline for the embattled nation in its struggle agains
The Bulgarian National Assembly has unanimously voted in favor of a 30% salary increase for military personnel
A Belgian reserve colonel, Roger Housen, has issued a stark warning regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, suggesting that it may be heading towards a "Korean scenario"
Amidst discussions in the Bulgarian parliament, Acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov has announced plans for a significant boost in military spending, aiming for it to reach 2.5% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP)
Amid growing concerns over security in the wake of the conflict in Ukraine, Bulgaria's Acting Minister of Defense, Atanas Zapryanov, has addressed the issue of conscription, stating that while it is being discussed, no political decision has been reached
Bulgarian journalist Dimitar Stoyanov finds himself embroiled in controversy after being detained by authorities for 24 hours on charges of hooliganism and threatening behavior with a weapon
In Bulgaria, a stark reality persists regarding domestic violence, as highlighted by Assoc. Dr. Aleksey Pamporov from the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Bulgarian authorities found themselves grappling with a peculiar case involving a 60-year-old Ukrainian woman
In a pioneering initiative to address road safety, a new campaign will see road offenders receiving letters from relatives of those who lost their lives in accidents
Bulgaria is grappling with a sharp increase in counterfeit currency, with the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) reporting a concerning surge in fake banknotes, particularly those of 100 BGN denominations
In a chilling turn of events, the lifeless body of a man was discovered in Sofia's "Zapaden Park" yesterday, as reported by NovaTV
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022
