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Turkish court sentences 24 to life for failed 2016 coup

By Nicholas Sakelaris
A man holds a Turkish flag during a demonstration in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 16, 2016, following a failed coup attempt. File Photo by Hanna Noori/UPI
A man holds a Turkish flag during a demonstration in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 16, 2016, following a failed coup attempt. File Photo by Hanna Noori/UPI | License Photo

June 20 (UPI) -- A Turkish court issued life sentences to 24 people Thursday who were convicted of trying to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a failed military coup three years ago.

The majority of them, 17, will serve harder prison time for more serious charges, including "violating the constitution" and "attempting to assassinate the president," state-run media Anadolu reported.

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"The Turkish judiciary has set a great example of justice," Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul said. "Nobody will be able to eliminate democracy and that national will in Turkey."

The group includes former Air Force Chief Azin Ozturk and Mehmet Disli, the brother of former ruling party politician Saban Disli. Col. Ali Yazici, a former military aide to Erdogan, was among those sentenced to life.

Families of the 139 people who died in the July 2016 coup attempt were not allowed in the courtroom for Thursday's sentencing.

"The state should be ashamed," Saliha Arigan, whose son was among the dead, said.

More verdicts are coming for others also prosecuted by the government -- including U.S.-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, who's accused of orchestrating of the coup attempt. Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania, is being tried in absentia.

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Turkey beats back an attempted military coup

Turkish solders stay at Taksim square as people protest agaist the military coup in Istanbul on July 16, 2016. Turkish military forces on July 16 opened fire on crowds gathered in Istanbul following a coup attempt, causing casualties, Witnesses said. photo by Jennifer Ciochon/ UPI | License Photo

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