Political divisions in Turkey were on full display this week, as a court sentenced hundreds of former military officers, opposition politicians, journalists and academics for plotting to overthrow Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) in a conspiracy case that has gripped the nation.
The highest-profile defendant of the 275 on trial was former armed forces chief Ilker Basbug, who on Monday received a life sentence in jail, along with 17 others - including retired generals.
Judges also sentenced three serving parliamentarians from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) to between 12 and 35 years in prison. The court freed 21 defendants.
All have been accused of being members of a little known underground group dubbed "Ergenekon", the name of a mythical valley in Central Asia where the Turks are said to have originated.
Read more: Conspiracy convictions deepen Turkey's divide - Features - Al Jazeera English
The highest-profile defendant of the 275 on trial was former armed forces chief Ilker Basbug, who on Monday received a life sentence in jail, along with 17 others - including retired generals.
Judges also sentenced three serving parliamentarians from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) to between 12 and 35 years in prison. The court freed 21 defendants.
All have been accused of being members of a little known underground group dubbed "Ergenekon", the name of a mythical valley in Central Asia where the Turks are said to have originated.
Read more: Conspiracy convictions deepen Turkey's divide - Features - Al Jazeera English
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