People walk to the Justice Palace as a trial against Metin Topuz, a Turkish employee of the United States Consulate in Istanbul charged with espionage and attempting to overthrow the Turkish government, began in Istanbul, Tuesday, March 26, 2019. (Mehet Guzel/Associated Press)ISTANBUL — A Turkish employee of the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul appeared in court Tuesday charged with espionage and attempting to overthrow the Turkish government in a case that further frayed ties between the two NATO allies. Topuz is accused of links to U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who the Turkish government blames for the 2016 coup attempt, and faces a life sentence if convicted. “I would never have thought I’d be blamed for my translation work,” Topuz said, fighting back tears. The Turkish government accuses those officers of links to Gulen and of attempting a “judicial coup” through the investigation.

Source: Washington Post March 26, 2019 06:15 UTC