Turkey 85 generals, admirals charged in coup attempt
By Associated Press
Jul 19, 2016 2:31 AM CDT
People gathered in Taksim Square in Istanbul to protest against the attempted coup, watch a pre-recorded video message by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, early Tuesday, July 19, 2016. The Turkish government accelerated its crackdown on alleged plotters of the failed coup against Erdogan. The...   (Associated Press)

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's state-run news agency says courts have ordered 85 generals and admirals jailed pending trial over their roles in a botched coup attempt. Dozens of others were still being questioned.

Anadolu Agency said Tuesday that those formally arrested include former air force commander Gen. Akin Ozturk, alleged to be the ringleader of the July 15 uprising, and Gen. Adem Hududi, commander of Turkey's 2nd Army, which is charge of countering possible threats to Turkey from Syria, Iran and Iraq.

Authorities have rounded up thousands alleged to have been involved in the coup, in which 208 government supporters and 24 coup plotters. The government says a U.S.-based Muslim cleric was behind the coup.

Thousands of officials suspected of links to him were purged from the judiciary and the Interior Ministry.

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