A deputy from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), İbrahim Aydemir, has said suspects who are standing trial due to their alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt that took place on July 15, 2016 should be forced to wear uniforms during proceedings.
Speaking in Parliament, Aydemir talked about coup suspects whose trials have begun across Turkey and said these suspects attend the trials wearing suits in order to create the perception that they are innocent.
Referring to a photo of noncommissioned officer Zekariya Kuzu, one of the coup suspects, before he entered a courthouse for his trial early this week, Aydemir said: “The photos of July 15 traitors who try to create the perception of a nice guy have deeply hurt the public conscience. They should be forced to wear uniforms during trials and be prevented from giving the message they desire.”
Aydemir’s suggestion is reminiscent of the practice during the Sept. 12, 1980 military coup era when inmates in prison were forced to wear uniforms.
The July 15 coup attempt claimed the lives of more than 240 people while more than a thousand people were injured.