The trial has started in Turkey of a man who was accused of masterminding a plot in 1998 to crash a plane into the mausoleum of the country's founder. Metin Kaplan was extradited from Germany in October. This report from Jonny Dymond:
Metin Kaplan leads a group dedicated to the overthrow of the Turkish secular republic and its replacement by an Islamic state. He is known to his supporters as the Caliph of Cologne, a city he lived in for some time.
The Turkish authorities allege that Mr Kaplan plotted to fly an aeroplane laden with explosives into the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. The operation was, the authorities, say, due to take place on the day celebrating the 75th anniversary of the republic, when the country's military, bureaucratic and political elite would have gathered at the mausoleum.
Mr Kaplan, who admits wanting to overthrow the secular republic, denies the charge. He is accused of an armed attempt to overturn the constitutional order; if he is convicted he could face life imprisonment.
Jonny Dymond, BBC, Istanbul
dedicated to
devoted to
secular
concerned with the affairs of this world rather than spiritual affairs
Caliph
chief Muslim civil and religious ruler
allege
declare to be the truth but have not yet proven to be truth
plotted
made a secret plan to commit a crime
laden
heavily loaded
mausoleum
large stately tomb
the founder
the person who established or began something
to take place
to happen
to overturn
to bring to a sudden end
Metin Kaplan leads a group dedicated to the overthrow of the Turkish secular republic and its replacement by an Islamic state. He is known to his supporters as the Caliph of Cologne, a city he lived in for some time.
The Turkish authorities allege that Mr Kaplan plotted to fly an aeroplane laden with explosives into the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. The operation was, the authorities, say, due to take place on the day celebrating the 75th anniversary of the republic, when the country's military, bureaucratic and political elite would have gathered at the mausoleum.
Mr Kaplan, who admits wanting to overthrow the secular republic, denies the charge. He is accused of an armed attempt to overturn the constitutional order; if he is convicted he could face life imprisonment.
Jonny Dymond, BBC, Istanbul
dedicated to
devoted to
secular
concerned with the affairs of this world rather than spiritual affairs
Caliph
chief Muslim civil and religious ruler
allege
declare to be the truth but have not yet proven to be truth
plotted
made a secret plan to commit a crime
laden
heavily loaded
mausoleum
large stately tomb
the founder
the person who established or began something
to take place
to happen
to overturn
to bring to a sudden end
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