ISTANBUL, Turkey, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Members of Turkey's judiciary were accused of lacking objectivity and independence by 21 defendants on trial on charges of plotting to undermine the government.
Defense attorneys for the 21, including War Academies commander Gen. Bilgin Balanli, demanded that the judges recuse themselves from the case, Turkey's Hurriyet Daily News reported.
As a result of the request, the court postponed the trial Monday and transferred the recusal application to a higher court.
General Balanli and his co-defendants are accused of taking part in a 2003 plot against the government code-named Sledgehammer.
The operation reportedly involved plans to bomb mosques and provoke tensions with Greece in order to justify a military takeover.
Balanli's son told the News he has no confidence in Turkey's justice system.
Defense attorneys have charged the evidence against their clients was fabricated.
