Three Turkish officers arrested in coup probe

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Source: Reuters

Sat Jan 24, 2009 3:04pm IST

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A Turkish court has formally arrested and remanded in custody three lieutenants suspected of involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the government, state-run Anatolian news agency reported.

The three were among some 30 people, including army and police personnel, detained in a nationwide sweep on Thursday. The court was yet to decide whether to formally arrest the remaining detainees.

The detentions have added to strains between the government and the secular establishment, including the military and judiciary. Eighty-six people, including retired senior officers, are already on trial over their suspected links to a nationalist group, Ergenekon, which is accused of plotting to overthrow the Islamist-rooted AK Party government.

Broadcaster CNN Turk said the Istanbul court also released from prison three of the defendants already on trial. Hearings in the trial are continuing on a daily basis ...

Read more: http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-37634820090124