Just days before the anniversary of July 15, a new development has emerged in the critical file regarding the treacherous coup attempt. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has prepared an indictment against 21 defendants who managed FETÖ's coup organization in Istanbul, 8 of whom are fugitives and 13 are detained in another case.
The indictment demands prison sentences ranging from 13 years 6 months to 22 years 6 months for the defendants on charges of 'inciting attempted murder' due to their actions against 649 veterans who were injured on the night of the coup.
The indictment names Ahmet Gümüş, Ahmet Zeki Gerehan, Eyyüp Gürler, Fatih Karakaya, Fethi Alpay, Mehmet Kapan, Mehmet Murat Çelebi, Mehmet Nail Yiğit, Murat Yanık, Muzaffer Düzenli, Müslüm Kaya, Nebi Gazneli, Onur Özden, Ömer Faruk Özköse, Özkan Aydoğdu, Rıfkı Keser, Sadık Cebeci, Şakir Çınar and Uzay Şahin as suspects.
The Plan of the Treacherous Attempt
The indictment detailed that the suspects acted in line with the coup plan, seizing strategic points at Atatürk Airport, closing entrances, attempting to take control of air traffic, and moving in a coordinated manner to prevent the intervention of security forces.
Martial Law Announcement
The indictment stated that the coup attempt was organized within a chain of command, and the suspects moved to Atatürk Airport in accordance with the instructions given. According to the file, military units were deployed with tanks and armored vehicles at the A and B entrance gates of the airport, barricades were set up at the entrances, and while entries to the airport were banned, exits were brought under control.
The indictment noted that then-Lieutenant Colonel Serbülent Eken announced over the radio that martial law had been declared and gave orders to open fire on the police if necessary.
Flights Halted
The indictment stated that a military group under the command of then-Colonel Mustafa Kol went to the air traffic control tower and took it under control, telling the personnel working there that the Turkish Armed Forces had seized power, after which control was handed over to other military personnel. It was also reported that from the night hours onward, landings and takeoffs, except for international flights, were halted.
Assigned to Take Control of Critical Points
In the prosecutor's assessment, the suspects were assigned to take control of critical points not only at Atatürk Airport but also at the Çobançeşme Junction and the E-5 Highway.
The indictment stated that some suspects carried out the order to 'cut off E-5 traffic and tell citizens that the TSK has seized power,' attempting to stop traffic heading toward Istanbul.
They Aimed to Break the Resistance of Citizens
The indictment explained that the 21 suspects acted in a coordinated manner for the success of the coup attempt, aiming to neutralize public authority by seizing the airport and surrounding critical areas, managing the dispatch and operation of military vehicles, and engaging in activities to break the resistance of security forces and citizens.
Citizens Blocked the Vehicles
The indictment also detailed the experiences of the veterans who were injured in the clashes at and around Atatürk Airport on the night of July 15. The prosecutor stated that the coup soldiers deployed tanks and armored vehicles at critical points to seize the airport, while citizens tried to prevent the coup by blocking the vehicles.
They Opened Fire, Ran Over Them
As the tanks and armored vehicles advanced, some citizens were injured after falling while trying to climb onto the vehicles or block their path. The indictment also recorded that the military vehicles under the control of the coup soldiers continued to advance in areas where citizens were present, causing many injuries and colliding with some vehicles.
In addition to the actions linked to Atatürk Airport, the indictment stated that coup soldiers opened fire on citizens at the July 15 Martyrs Bridge, resulting in many people being injured and becoming veterans.
