27-Year Trial in Turkey Finally Ends with Mixed Verdict

[The Straight Story]

27-Year Trial in Turkey Finally Ends with Mixed Verdict
Saturday, December 19, 2009

And Americans think their system of justice is slow. Earlier this week, a court in Turkey
concluded a trial that first began in March 1982, when more than 1,200 leftists were tried for attempting to overthrow the country’s military government. The defendants were alleged members of Dev-Sol, a communist group formed in the late 1970s.

Phase one of the trial went on for about 10 years, then the proceedings got bumped to an appellate court. Nothing happened for the next 13 years because someone lost 100 folders of evidence. Eventually, a panel of judges resumed the case and handed down a verdict. Of the original 1,223 defendants, only 39 were convicted. But 13 of the guilty won’t be serving any more time in jail because they’re deceased.

http://www.allgov.com/ViewNews/27_Year_Trial_in_Turkey_Finally_Ends_with_Mixed_Verdict_91219

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Congressional Repugs will be taking notes. nt