Placards featured slogans such as “We want freedom!” and “Let the coup plotters be tried” at the demonstration organized by a coalition of several NGOs calling themselves “70 Million Steps against Coups.” Wearing white gloves and blowing whistles, the demonstrators marched down İstanbul's İstiklal Street in an event that came two days before 56 suspects, among them two retired generals, were set to go on trial on coup charges as part of the Ergenekon trial.
The prosecution wants life sentences for two generals -- Şener Eruygur and Hurşit Tolon -- for masterminding several coup plots against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government. Both are accused of being members of the Ergenekon network, a shadowy organization of some state officials and criminal gangs accused of causing unrest and staging political murders to pave the way for a military coup in Turkey.
Reports say the HSYK, which has the final say on matters pertaining to the appointment of judges and prosecutors, wants to replace the judges and prosecutors leading the Ergenekon trial, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to sabotage the trial process.
“HSYK, get your hands off prosecutors!” read some demonstrators' banners at Saturday's protest. They have also called on Ali Suat Ertosun, an HSYK member thought to have links with the Ergenekon network, to resign. "We do not want any outside intervention in this trial. The prosecutors must be left free," said a written statement read aloud by a spokesman.
The demonstration received little coverage from newspapers and television stations owned by the Doğan Group media conglomerate, accused by critics of sympathizing with the Ergenekon network.
