The trial of 69 suspected members of a Turkish al-Qaida cell charged in a string of November suicide bombings in Istanbul opened today, but the court quickly ruled that it did not have the authority to hear the case and that any judgment would have to come before another court.
The Turkish parliament abolished state security courts like the one hearing this trial in May, but that order does not come into force for about another month.
The reform was approved as part of Turkey's bid to join the European Union. In a written ruling, the court today said that due to the changes it no longer had the authority to hear the case.
All 69 defendants, however, must still appear before the court this week on procedural grounds. The court, however, will not hear their testimony. Turkish authorities are expected to set up new tribunals in the coming months that will deal with terrorism and other cases.
The 69 are accused over a string of November suicide bombings in Istanbul . Prosecutors say 61 people, including British Consul-General Roger Short, were killed and more than 600 others injured in the attacks.
In their 128-page indictment, prosecutors demanded life sentences for five suspects who they said played direct roles in the bombings. Paramilitary police escorted the five, as well as several others to the court in Istanbul .
Alleged ringleaders Akdas, Gurcan Bac and Azad Ekinci are at large and are
believed to be hiding abroad.