Gen Kenan Evren, 94, who was president from 1983-89, and Gen Tahsin Sahinkaya, 86, are the first Turkish officers to face trial for staging a coup.
BBC: Turkey's 1980 military coup leaders stand trial
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Gen Evren's indictment carries great symbolic significance in Turkey, our correspondent says, demonstrating how far the balance of power has shifted away from the once untouchable military establishment.
BBC: Turkey's 1980 military coup leaders stand trial