Turkish authorities have indicted 33 people in an alleged secularist plot to destabilize Turkey and overthrow the government. The 33 are accused of planning assassinations of prominent members of Turkey's Christian and Jewish minorities and other sensational attacks to foment chaos and bring down the Islamic-oriented government. The suspects include three retired or active-duty admirals and dozens of other military officers. Trial is set for June 15. Hundreds of civilians, retired and active-duty officers are already on trial on charges of an apparently separate plot against the government. Turkey also recently detained and charged nearly 40 other officers for plotting a coup. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his party would hold talks with the opposition next week on proposed changes to the constitution, which secularists see as a direct challenge by the Islamic-leaning government. The ruling AK Party has said it will seek to win parliamentary approval for the changes - a requirement for Turkey's European Union membership bid - but has warned opponents it could hold a referendum to push through reforms. “Parliament has the authority, the will and the strength to pass these reforms. I want to believe the opposition will behave with common sense. This is a very urgent need for Turkey, “ Erdogan told AK Party officials in a speech. “Our colleagues will ask for appointments from opposition parties and will share the contents of the reforms next week.” The AK Party says changes are needed to curb powers of a conservative judiciary opposed to reforms and to bring Turkey closer to EU standards.
