Turkish court sentences 322 military officers to jail

A Turkish court sentenced a total of 322 military officers to jail on Friday for plotting to overthrow the government almost a decade ago, according to court documents seen by Reuters.   

The court said earlier that 34 defendants had been acquitted in the so-called "Sledgehammer" trial, which has underscored civilian dominance over Turkey's once all-powerful military.

The Turkish army has traditionally played a dominant role in politics, staging three coups between 1960 and 1980 and pushing the country's first Islamist-led government from office in 1997.   

Its authority has been reined in sharply since Erdogan first came to power nearly a decade ago and the trial has been seen as a show of strength by a government that has emerged from its shadow.   

The "Sledgehammer" conspiracy is alleged to have included plans to bomb historic mosques in Istanbul and trigger conflict with Greece to pave the way for an army takeover.   

Prosecutors had demanded 15-20 year jail sentences for the 365 defendants, 364 of them serving and retired officers.