Istanbul - A Turkish court has rejected an appeal by the former head of the armed forces, General Ilker Basbug, against his detention on accusations of seeking to overthrow the government, state broadcaster TRT Haber said on Tuesday.
Basbug, military chief of staff from 2008 to 2010, was sent to a high-security prison outside Istanbul on Jan 6 after a court ordered him remanded in custody while prosecutors complete their investigation and prepare formal charges.
The court also rejected a request by Basbug's lawyer for him to be tried in the supreme court.
Basbug is the most senior officer to be caught up in court cases involving accusations of plots against Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's government. He has denied the charges, which include forming and leading a terrorist organisation. - Reuters