Turkish former army chiefs to testify in court for 2003 Sledgehammer coup plot

Several former army chiefs were summoned to a Turkish court on Wednesday for the investigation of a coup plot that has already put dozens of high ranking military officials behind bars.

The 10th Istanbul High Criminal Court demanded Wednesday former chiefs of General Staff Yasar Buyukanit and Ilker Basbug along with Gendarmerie Commander Bekir Kalyoncu testify in the probe.

These former chiefs of General Staff were accused of violating the constitutional order and laws by taking part in a Sledgehammer coup plan involving the bombing of the most-frequented mosques in Istanbul in an attempt to trigger chaos in the country to provide a pretext for military intervention.

Buyukanit and the other army officials were summoned to testify for signing on a final report of action plans discussed at a military seminar in 2003, during which preparations were allegedly made for the Sledgehammer coup plot.

Currently, more than 200 Turkish military officers are in custody for alleged involvement in the Sledgehammer coup plot.