May 27: Turkey’s democracy taken prisoner

Turkey faced a military intervention in its democratic process for the first time in its history 59 years ago on May 27.

The decade-long Democrat Party (DP) government was ousted by a military junta which arrested, tried and jailed all its leading members.

Accused of violating the constitution as well as embezzling money from state funds, they were put on trial by a military court on the island of Yassıada, located in the Sea of Marmara to the southeast of Istanbul.

Then-President Celal Bayar, Prime Minister Adnan Menderes, Foreign Minister Fatin Rüştü Zorlu and Finance Minister Hasan Polatkan, were sentenced to death. Bayar's later received clemency from the sentence.

- CHRONOLOGY
January 7, 1946 - Celal Bayar, Adnan Menderes, Fuad Köprülü and Refik Koraltan founded the Democrat Party.

May 14, 1950 - The Democrat Party came first in general elections for the first time, taking 53% of the vote. It continued to achieve ballot box victories to remain in power for a decade until the coup of 1960.

Sept. 6-7, 1955 - Mass protests and riots are held in Istanbul, Izmir and the capital Ankara following news that the house where Ataturk was born bombed.

1957 - Shortly after the elections, nine army officers were arrested and prosecuted on charges of conspiring to the government.

April 29, 1959 - Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Ismet Inönü embarked on an election tour in the country's western provinces called the "Great Offensive" -- in reference to the final charge of the Turkey's War of Independence in which he took part as a major leader.

Inonu was allegedly assaulted and prevented from visiting some provinces

April 1960 - University students begin demonstrations against the government.

During protests in Beyazıt Square, Istanbul, a student, Turan Emeksiz, died of a bullet to the head.

The state declares martial law in Istanbul and Ankara following the demonstrations.

May 5, 1960 - Student protests break out in Ankara.

May 21, 1960 - Military Academy students hold a silent march through the Victory Monument in the heart of Ankara.

May 27, 1960 - The National Unity Committee, a junta of 38 officers, ousted the government, arguing that the DP was taking the country into an increasingly oppressive regime and instability.

Oct. 14, 1960 - Judicial proceedings begin on Yassıada island in the Sea of Marmara to continue until Sept. 15, 1961.

Former-President Celal Bayar, Prime Minister Adnan Menderes, Foreign Minister Fatin Rüştü Zorlu and Finance Minister Hasan Polatkan, were sentenced to death.

Celal Bayar's sentence was later converted to life in prison due to his age.

The court sentenced 31 people with life imprisonment, 92 between 6 and 20 years and 94 to 5 years in prison.

Sept. 17, 1961 - Following the court's verdict, Menderes was hanged along with Zorlu and Polatkan on the island of Imrali in the Sea of Marmara after a year-long trial.