A total of 486 suspects will go on trial on Aug. 1 in a purpose-built courtroom outside Ankara, charged with crimes ranging from murder, violating the constitution and attempting to kill President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the coup bid. (AFP Photo)

ANKARA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The largest trial over Turkey's coup attempt last year started in Ankara on Tuesday, with 486 suspects expected to appear in court.

The suspects are indicted for being involved in the events at the Akinci Air Base, a critical hub by plotters, where commands were given for F-16 fighter jets to attack the Turkish Parliament, the Special Forces Police Headquarters and the satellite center on the night of coup attempt.

The key suspect is Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based preacher, who is accused by the Turkish government of orchestrating the failed military coup.

Former air commander Akin Ozturk is among the suspects who are charged with crimes ranging from violating the constitution, murder, attempting to overturn the government, managing an armed terrorist organization, seizing military bases, attempting to assassinate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and deprivation of liberty.

A total of 461 suspects, mostly military personnel, are held in custody, 18 suspects are being tried without arrest, and seven are on the run.

Strict security is being implemented at a purpose-built courtroom outside the capital.

Relatives of some of the killed on the night of the coup gathered in front of the courthouse and shouted "We want death penalty" slogans.

On July 15, 2016, coup plotters blocked roads and bombed state institutions before the attempted takeover was thwarted with the help of citizens resisting putschist soldiers on the streets.

At least 250 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured during the bloody coup attempt.