The trial has started in Turkey of a man who was accused of masterminding a plot in 1998 to crash a plane into the mausoleum of the country's founder. Metin Kaplan was extradited from Germany in October. This report from Jonny Dymond:

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The Turkish authorities allege that Mr Kaplan plotted to fly an aeroplane laden with explosives into the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. The operation was, the authorities, say, due to take place on the day celebrating the 75th anniversary of the republic, when the country's military, bureaucratic and political elite would have gathered at the mausoleum.

Mr Kaplan, who admits wanting to overthrow the secular republic, denies the charge. He is accused of an armed attempt to overturn the constitutional order; if he is convicted he could face life imprisonment.

Jonny Dymond, BBC, Istanbul

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dedicated to
devoted to

secular
concerned with the affairs of this world rather than spiritual affairs

Caliph
chief Muslim civil and religious ruler

allege
declare to be the truth but have not yet proven to be truth

plotted
made a secret plan to commit a crime

laden
heavily loaded

mausoleum
large stately tomb

the founder
the person who established or began something

to take place
to happen

to overturn
to bring to a sudden end

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