Ms. Berlinski,

Yes, I live in the US, but I have flying to Istanbul to attend the trials in person.  I am also very surprised why few Turkish people show up to watch.  I think that most of them do not have any clue that these trials have been going on because of the very little coverage in the main media outlets.  Most of the main media outlets are under intense pressure from the current potical party in power not to have any coverage about this trial. They are very afraid.  Average Turkish people do not even listen to the news - They are busy watching soaps and entertainment news. 

 As a Turkish citizen and somebody who has been attending the trials in Silivri, I am ashamed what has been going on at the trials.  It is a "sham trial".  Unfortunately, ordinary Turkish people and most of the prominant journalists do not even know what is going on and they are not interested in going to the trials. I live in the US and we contacted several organizations and newspapers about this trial without no success.

You asked a very good question - where are Media, NATO, US Embassy and Turkish people?   The reason why Turkish TV outlets have not been covering this trial because of the intense pressure they receive from the current political party in power.  They are all afraid!!  Almost all Turkish media outlets are being controlled by the current political party in power.  Most Turkish people do not know about the trial and the ones who do know about it are afraid of showing support because of the fear of going to the jail. I have been attending the trial since it started and it is unbelievable what is going on.    Although defendants have proved that the evidence in these CD's is all garbage, the judges do not seem to care.  The active military officers who are being tried here are the best in the Turkish Military and devoted to secularism.  Majority of these officers were up for promotion last year and also this year.  It is the general consensus that these officers are being sacrificed to promote officers who support current government. Unfortunately, Turkish Military who has been defendant of secular principles is very weak to do anything about it.