Security forces tear gas Silivri crowds ahead of Ergenekon case

Turkish security forces intervened in crowds around the courthouse in Slivri in western Istanbul using tear gas ahead of the Ergenekon trial. A Turkish court will announce the verdicts against 275 suspects of the five-year-long Ergenekon case, who are accused of plotting to depose the government, amid massive security precautions. Ahead of the verdict, authorities banned protests at the court. Security forces set up barricades around the courthouse in Silivri, where the trial will take place, to tighten security. However  supporters of the defendants vowed to hold a demonstration. Security forces warned to intervene in the protesters trying to climb over the barricades. Members of non-governmental organizations and several parties that are trying to reach Silivri were stopped by the security forces and later moved away to E-5 highway. The moved away group waiting roadside are chanting slogans. The moved away group waiting roadside are chanting slogans. A small scale fire broke out amid the intervention in the fields around the courthouse and it was extinguished immediately. Meanwhile police did not let a group of people who want to go to Silivri to attend the demonstration in Turkey's north western province of Bursa. There were also protests against the trial in Washington. A group of Turkish people dressed in black gathered in front of the White House with flags and black banners and chanted anti-government slogans suggesting the the trial was not objective. The case began in 2007 with the discovery of 27 hand grenades in a house in Istanbul. Some of the country’s most prominent figures including former Chief of General Staff Ilker Basbug was detained and arrested, Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputies Mehmet Haberal and Mustafa Balbay and journalists, high-ranking military officials, have been jailed since then.