“The trial is part of a post-coup crackdown that has imprisoned 50,000 people and seen another 110,000 fired from their government jobs. Many of the suspects Tuesday face life in prison for crimes including murder and attempting to overthrow the government.” AP: In one court, nearly 500 people are on trial for Turkey’s failed coup; many face life. And from Vice: Turkey packs 486 defendants in courtroom for massive coup trial.

+ In the increasingly unstable and undemocratic Venezuela, authorities arrested two opposition leaders in the middle of the night.

+ Paul Mason in The Guardian: Democracy is dying – and it’s startling how few people are worried