The prolonged Ergenekon trial, which has left an indelible mark on Turkey over the last four years, will mark a milestone today as the prosecutor gives his closing statements regarding at the trial’s 270th hearing in Silivri, Istanbul.

Istanbul / NationalTurk – Clashes occurred between protesters and Turkish police and gendarmerie in front of the court, as thousands gathered in Silivri today for the critical 270th hearing of the Ergenekon trial.

Opposition groups led by the main opposition the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Turkey have planned to hold a major rally in front of the Silivri courthouse where the Ergenekon case has been tried.

The case turned ugly on Jan 6, 2012, when retired Turkish Chief of Staff, İlker Başbuğ, was arrested on charges of ‘attempting to overthrow the Islamist-oriented government through use of force ‘and ‘ leading a criminal organization.’

İlker Başbuğ refused to file a plea in court and did not attend any of the Ergenekon trials from then on except when another the Former Chief of General Staff Ret. Gen. Hilmi Özkök gave his testimony.

The would-be plotting group is named after Ergenekon, a mythical place located in the inaccessible valleys of the Altay Mountains in the Middle Asia, where Turks are originated from.

The Ergenekon legend telling the myth of Pagan Turks is thus now forever tainted with this trial, named while an Islam-oriented government is at helm !

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