Seven suspects held in Turkish coup probe

SEVEN suspects were remanded in custody yesterday over an alleged coup plot against Turkey’s Islamist-rooted government in 2003, as part of a probe that has fanned tensions in the polarised country.

An Istanbul court ruled the suspects – two active-duty admirals, two retired admirals, a retired one-star general and two retired colonels – should be kept in jail pending trial, Anatolia news agency reported.

They were among about 50 military figures – including the former chiefs of the navy and air force, Ozden Ornek and Ibrahim Firtina – rounded up on Monday in the toughest action so far targeting the influential Turkish armed forces. Six others were released after questioning, Anatolia said.