Trial of U.S. Consulate worker accused of espionage begins in Turkey

A Turkish employee of the United States (U.S.) consulate in Istanbul went on trial on Tuesday, over 17 months after he was imprisoned over alleged ties to the failed 2016 coup, state news agency Anadolu said.
According to Anadolu, in February, an Istanbul court approved an indictment against Metin Topuz, accused of espionage and an attempt to overthrow the government.
Topuz has been jailed since October 2017 over alleged ties with U.S.-based Turkish Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Turkey for the abortive putsch by a faction in the military.
“The prosecutors are seeking life imprisonment for Topuz,’’ the report said, adding that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is among 30 plaintiffs involved in the court case.
Anadolu described an emotional hearing at which Topuz was seen weeping as U.S. embassy and consulate officials looked on.
The prosecutors also concluded that Topuz had “very intense” contact with police chiefs who led a 2013 corruption probe against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s inner circle and top government officials.
The police chiefs also are accused of Gulen links.
Topuz is the last remaining jailed U.S. consulate employee in Turkey; although a number of U.S. citizens remain behind bars, stirring tension between Washington and Ankara.