486 suspects stand key trial over Turkey's failed coup attempt in Ankara

A critical trial on events at the Akıncı Airbase, which was used as the center of the coup attempt on the night of July 15, 2016, began on Aug. 1 in the capital Ankara, with a total of 486 suspects being tried. 

The chief suspect of the case is U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, who is believed to have masterminded the coup attempt. Former air commander Akın Öztürk and leaders Adil Öksüz, Kemal Batmaz, Harun Biniş, Nurettin Oruç and Hakan Çiçek are also among the suspects tried. 

Protesters outside the courtroom, exclusively built for the coup trials, chanted slogans against the suspects as they were escorted by gendarmerie forces under tight security measures.

The suspects are accused of "violating the Constitution, attempting to assassinate the President, attempting to abolish the government of Turkey, managing an armed terrorist organization, seizing military bases, manslaughter, attempting manslaughter, and deprivation of liberty."

Events at the Akıncı base were at the center of the coup attempt as Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar and force commanders were taken there and held captive by pro-coup soldiers. The generals and commanders were all later freed in a Special Forces operation in the early hours of July 16. 

The base's runways were also bombed on the night of the attempted putsch to prevent F-16s used by the coup plotters from taking off.