General Akin Öztürk, also the former commander of Turkey’s air force, was arrested on Saturday along with five other generals in connection to the failed coup.
Öztürk served in Turkey’s Tel Aviv embassy from from 1998 to 2000 and later went on to serve as the air force commander until he stepped down last year. Öztürk was a celebrated military figure, honored by medals from his own country and NATO.
He retained his seat in Turkey’s Supreme Military Council.
Turkey has announced that Öztürk and his alleged partners will be tried over treason charges.
According to Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, those behind the coup will not face the death penalty as it is against the country’s constitution, but constitutional changes are being considered to block future coups.
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The coup attempt started on Friday evening when tanks took up positions on two bridges over the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, blocking traffic and killing 161 people and 1,440 wounded.
On Saturday, Turkey announced that the failed attempt to seize control of the country by a faction of the armed forces is now over, with 2,839 soldiers, including high-ranking officers being arrested.
