Former Turkish coup leader threatens suicide before standing trial
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ISTANBUL - The Turkish general behind the country's 1980 military coup said he would commit suicide if proposed constitutional changes are adopted that would pave the way for his trial, in comments published in Hurriyet daily Friday.
General Kenan Evren's remarks came a day after officials from the ruling and main opposition parties met to discuss a possible amendment to the Turkish Constitution to allow those responsible for the coup to be tried.Â
"Let them ask the people, let them organize a referendum," Evren, 92, who headed the 1980 coup and served as president between 1892-1989, told Hurriyet.
"If the Turkish people come out in favor of a trial, I will not be able to live with the shame, I promise everyone that I will commit suicide," he said.
Article 15Â of the Turkish Constitution, which was drafted in 1982 under the eye of the army, effectively prevents the coup leaders from ever being tried in court over their actions.
"This constitution was adopted by referendum with 92 percent of the vote," Evren said.
The Turkish opposition and ruling parties are engaged in talks to amend the Constitution to pave the way for the trail of the leaders of the military junta held on Sept.12, 1980.
The Turkish army took over power in the country after clashes between left and right wing political groups in the 1970s had brought During the three years of military rule that ended in 1983, around 650,000 people were detained, 230,000 people trialed, 50 executed, and 14,000 stripped of their Turkish citizenship.