The first trial related to Turkey’s failed coup d’etat in July has opened near Istanbul.<br /><br /> Twenty nine police officers charged with disobeying orders have appeared in court.<br /><br /> Prosecutors are calling for life in prison for most of the officers, accused of failing orders to protect the presidential palace. <br /><br /> It is not clear if the officers will plead guilty or not guilty.<br /><br /> One lawyer for some of the victims, Orhan Cagri Bekar, told reporters: “Everyone involved in the coup attempt must have a fair trial. <br /><br /> “Those who are not guilty must be separated. Those who are guilty must be sentenced to the heaviest punishment because this is a betrayal against the country.”<br /><br /> Some 240 people died when rebel soldiers attempted to overthrow the government on July the 15th.<br /><br /> More than 100,000 people including military, police and civil servants have been sacked or suspended from their jobs in a much-criticised government crackdown that followed the coup. <br /><br /> More than 40,000 people were arrested in widespread raids and many more trials are expected.<br /><br /> New court buildings are expected to be built to cope with the high number of court hearings being scheduled.<br /><br /> The first trial is being held among tight security in Silivri, west of Istanbul. TV cameras have been banned from the proceedings.<br /><br /> Turkish authorities blame the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for being behind the coup attempt. <br /><br /> But the former ally of President Erdogan denies involvement.<br />
