Turkey: 34 sentenced to life for attempting to kill President

A court in southwestern Turkey sentenced at least 34 suspects to life in prison Wednesday, convicting them of charges that include attempting to kill President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during last year's failed coup, Turkish state television TRT reported.

A total of 46 suspects — 37 of them former military personnel — have been on trial since February in the city of Mugla accused of attempted assassination, violation of the constitution and other crimes against the state during the July 15, 2016 coup attempt.

The defendants were accused of attacking the hotel in the resort of Marmaris where Erdoğan was staying, killing two policemen. Erdogan had left the hotel shortly before it was stormed.

Turkey has blamed the coup on the movement led by U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose followers are accused of infiltrating the military and other state institutions. Gulen denies the charges.

UCJ, UNILORIN.