Turkish pop star, journalists on trial over failed coup

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters in Denizli, Turkey, Friday, March 24, 2017. Erdogan has hit out at the head of Germany's intelligence service for comments suggesting that Berlin was not convinced over U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen's role in Turkey's failed coup. (Kayhan Ozer/Presidential Press Service, Pool Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016 photo, Turkish police officers escort Turkish pop singer Atilla Tas, centre, to the police headquarters following his arrest, in Istanbul. Tas and 28 other people, mostly journalists, went on trial Monday, March 27, 2017, on terrorism charges for alleged links to a failed coup attempt. They face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of membership in "an armed terrorist organisation" in a massive government crackdown that has included closing more than 100 media outlets and the arrests of reporters and editors suspected of ties to the July 15 insurrection. (DHA-Depo Photos via AP) (The Associated Press)

A Turkish pop singer and 28 other people, mostly journalists, are being tried on terrorism charges for alleged links to a U.S.-based Muslim cleric blamed by Turkey for a failed coup attempt.

The trial of Atilla Tas and other suspects, many of whom worked for media companies associated with cleric Fethullah Gulen, began Monday in Istanbul. They face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of membership in "an armed terrorist organization."

Tas wrote a newspaper column and posted satirical tweets about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government has arrested 41,000 people in a massive crackdown after the insurrection on July 15.

Erdogan says the crackdown is necessary to restore stability to Turkey. His critics say many people have been unfairly targeted.

Gulen has denied involvement in the coup attempt.