Turkey Court Gives 17 Life Sentences
By
JOE PARKINSON and AYLA ALBAYRAK
ISTANBUL — A Turkish court sentenced a former military chief and 16 other people to life in prison on Monday, concluding a landmark case that has divided the nation and come to symbolize the conflict between the Islamist-rooted government and the secularist establishment.
Ilker Basbug, the 70-year-old head of Turkey's armed forces until 2010, was among those given a life sentence along with 13 other military officers, a journalist, a lawyer and a politician for plotting to overthrow the government. Of the 275 defendants, all of whom said they were innocent, all but 17 were convicted.
More:Turkey Court Gives 17 Life Sentences - WSJ.com
