Former Turkish PM denies charges in corruption trial News
Former Turkish PM denies charges in corruption trial

[JURIST] The corruption trial of former Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz began Wednesday, making Yilmaz the first head of government to be tried by Turkey's Supreme Court. Yilmaz and former Economics Minister Gunes Taner are accused of pre-determining the winner [JURIST report] of the planned privatization of Turkey's state bank and using a mafia leader to scare off unwanted bidders. Yilmaz denied the charges [AFP report] Wednesday, saying they were part of a "politically motivated conspiracy." Yilmaz and Taner each face up to 10 years in jail if convicted. AFP has more.