Retrial of military officers accused of plotting coup starts in TurkeyNovember 3, 2014 - 18:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The retrial of 236 military officers accused of plotting a coup to overthrow the government of then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan began Monday, Nov 3, months after the country's highest court ruled that the suspects' right to a fair trial had been violated, the Associated Press reports. In 2012, a total of 326 officers were convicted of plotting to overthrow the country's Islamic-based government in 2003 in a plot dubbed "Sledgehammer," receiving sentences of up to 20 years imprisonment. In June, Turkey's constitutional court ordered many of the officers released pending a retrial. The original trial helped curtail the military's hold on Turkish politics, but the case was marred by the suspects' long pre-trial confinement and judicial flaws, including allegations of fabricated evidence. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |