Thirty Journalists and Newspaper Executives from a Turkish Newspaper which was shut down in 2016, went on trial on Monday.

These former employees face life sentences over charges of links to a failed coup attempt.

Zaman had an affiliation with Gulen, a US-based Cleric, and former ally of President Tayyip Erdogan, and the former employees were charged with “attempting to overthrow” the government through their affiliation with Gulen.

Gulen was blamed for instigating the failed coup in July, 2016, but he denied any involvement.

If what Rights groups say is anything to go by, then Turkey is the world’s biggest jailer of Journalists, with more than 160 Journalists detained.