Turkish Court to Hear Two Coup Leaders’ Testimony, NTV Reports

A Turkish court ordered two hospitalized leaders of Turkey’s 1980 military coup to testify via video-conference, NTV television reported.

Kenan Evren, who led the coup and later became president, and former air force chief Tahsin Sahinkaya are on trial for a crackdown on political freedom, executions, torture and disappearances committed under their command.

While both retired generals have said they can’t attend hearings for medical reasons, the Ankara court ruled today that they should testify in a video-conference in the next hearing on Nov. 20, according to NTV, which cited unnamed court officials.

To contact the reporter on this story: Selcan Hacaoglu in Ankara at shacaoglu@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andrew J. Barden at barden@bloomberg.net