Coup suspects playing Three Monkeys, Erdoğan says

The suspects who are currently on trial for their alleged role in the July 2016 coup attempt are playing a game of Three Monkeys but they will not be able to "escape a painful end," President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said.

"Even though they were caught red-handed, what are they now saying in court? The FETÖ [Fethullahist Terrorist Organization] members who have been saying 'we heard, saw and spoke no evil' and who have their head in the sand will not be able to escape the painful end that is waiting for them," Erdoğan said June 1 at his presidential palace during a gathering with local muhtars, leaders of a village or neighborhood, according to state-run Anadolu Agency.

"Who are you playing this game for?" he added.

Earlier this week, senior military officers denied their alleged involvement in FETÖ during court hearings initiated against 221 suspects in Ankara.  

"You advance upon my people with F-16s, helicopters, tanks, modern weapons and then still you say, 'I haven't seen, heard, or done anything.' Who are you fooling? All the documents and images are out in the open. We also won't stop following your influencers abroad; by following them step by step, we'll make sure that they are granted the outcome they deserve," the president said.

"In their hearts, our people have already inflicted the severest punishment upon them [the suspects] for their treachery. I have no doubt that the decisions of the court, which makes decisions on behalf of our people, will end up this way," he said. 

The Ankara 17th High Criminal Court began on May 22 a high-profile case against the 221 suspects, who have been accused of perpetrating the coup attempt, which is widely believed to have been orchestrated by the FETÖ.

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