Turkish prosecutors have demanded two life sentences and an additional 1,900 years in prison for US-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara blames for the failed mid-July coup.
In a 2,527-page indictment approved by prosecutors in the Usak region of western Turkey, the Pennsylvania-based cleric is charged with “attempting to destroy the constitutional order by force,” Turkey’s Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday.
According to the indictment, the cleric also faces criminal charges for “forming and running an armed terrorist group” among other accusations.
The case dates back even before the abortive coup and had been launched by Usak prosecutor’s office into the financial assets of the so-called Fethullah Terror Organization (FETO).
FETO has been accused of infiltrating state archives through its members in the state institutions and intelligence units.
Turkish state media say the group has used media outlets, foundations, private schools, companies, student dormitories and insurance companies to serve its purpose of taking control of all state institutions. FETO has also collected funds from businessmen in the name of “donations” and transferred the money to the United States by means of front companies.
At least 13 out of 111 suspects in the case are remanded in custody, all facing prison terms ranging from two years to life in jail.