Put 1980 Coup Commanders on Trial

Turkey's Platform Against Coups movement has filed a new criminal complaint with the Court of Appeals Prosecutor's Office demanding for commanders who staged the country's September 12, 1980 military coup and their Martial Law Commanders to be put on trial. The movement also asked the Court what happened to its previous criminal complaint filed last year.

Gathering in front of the Court's Prosecutor's Office on September 5, Tuesday, 20 members of the group opened a placard reading "Let us put those who staged the 12 September coup on trial" under slogans demanding them not to be protected.

Making a statement after delivering the criminal complaint petition, Ankara 78s Association Chairman Rusen Sumbuloglu recalled that they had previously filed a similar complaint and this was in addition to that.

Sumbuloglu explained that those who undersigned the petition frequently came to the Court of Appeals to check on the consequences of their complaint but complained about no action being taken.

"A year has passed and again we are at the doors of the Court of Appeals Prosecutor's Office" he said. "We ask all officials. Why is there no result to our complaint petitions. Who or what are you waiting for?"

The Platform charges former Chief of General Staff Kenan Evren, his aiding commanders Tahsin Sahinkaya and Nejat Tumer as well as those Martial Law commanders who served after the take-over for violating the law, abusing authority, responsibility for mistreatment, torture and killings, forceful seizure of property, violating the freedom of communication and unjust detentions.

The platform also accuses the commanders of staging a military coup against their own people in cooperation with a foreign country, an indirect reference to the United States . (KO/EO/II/YE)