Turkish football fans stand trial for ‘attempted coup’
Carsi ultras fan club accused of plotting to occupy Prime Minister’s office.
Thirty-five members of Carsi ultras, a fan club of Turkish football team Besiktas, are accused of attempting to stage a coup against the government during protests last year. Prosecutors are calling for life sentences, saying the football fans organised the protests in Taksim Square.
Opposition groups say the case is an abuse of the justice system, while the court indictment accuses the fans of seeking to occupy Prime Minister Erdogan’s office. The group is also charged with inciting violence and illegal protests.
On Tuesday, many demonstrated outside the Istanbul courthouse where the fans were on trial. Using #CarsiYanlizDegildir (“Carsi is not alone”) many tweeted their support for the football fans and shared images from the courthouse.