Turkey's Erdogan pardons elderly generals imprisoned over 1997 'postmodern coup'

Those pardoned and expected to be released from prison later on Friday include Cetin Dogan, 83, who was head of military operation at the time. Former Gen. Cevik Bir, 85, who was deputy chief of military staff, was released along with other officers earlier due to ill-health. The main defendant, former Chief of General Staff Ismail Hakkı Karadayı, died in 2020, while the appeals process was still continuing.

At the time of Erbakan's ouster, the army was concerned by his efforts to raise the profile of Islam in the predominantly Muslim but secular country. On Feb. 28, 1997, the military-dominated National Security Council threatened action if Erbakan did not back down. He resigned four months later.

The trial was one of several held in the country against military officers as Erdogan pressed ahead with efforts to make generals account for intervening in government affairs.

Turkey's military, which had long regarded its role as protector of the country's secular traditions, staged three coups between 1960 and 1980. In July 2016, Turkey quashed a coup attempt that the government has blamed on supporters of a U.S.-based Muslim cleric, Fethullah Gulen. The cleric denies involvement.

The pardon comes a week after Erdogan met with main opposition party leader Ozgur Ozel, who raised the issue of clemency. Ozel's pro-secular Republican People's Party swept local elections in March.