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An Istanbul prosecutor on Friday requested life imprisonment for 159 former servicemen over attempts to seize the city's Ataturk Airport during the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, Sputnik International reported citing Daily Sabah newspaper.

According to the Daily Sabah, the prosecutor claimed that the soldiers had planned to prevent people from leaving and entering the country by taking control of the airport and suspending flights.

The prosecutor is seeking the life sentences over charges of attempting to overthrow the government, terrorist group membership, premeditated murder and violating the constitution, the newspaper said.

On July 15, 2016, a military coup attempt took place in Turkey. It was suppressed the following day, but left over 240 people killed and an estimated 2,000 wounded. 

More than 50,000 people have been arrested and 100,000 dismissed or suspended from their jobs within the post-coup crackdown within Turkey. Ankara's actions have been repeatedly criticized by the European Union, which accused the government of violating human rights under the guise of a national state of emergency.