DOZENS OF TURKISH GENERALS, OFFICERS ARRESTED ON ERGENEKON SUSPICIONS

Asbarez
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Feb 22nd, 2010

ISTANBUL (Hurriyet)-Turkish police have detained 17 former generals,
4 active duty admirals, 27 officers and 1 petty officer. The interior
minister said they are fullfilling the requests of the judiciary.

Meanwhile Gen. Ilker Basbug has delayed a planned visit to Egypt
because of the developments.

The detainments are related to the Ergenekon case, which is an
investigation into a suspected gang known as Ergenekon that was
allegedly plotting to overthrow the ruling government.

According to some reports, the new round of detainments may be linked
to the "Balyoz" (Sledgehammer) plot, an alleged military coup plan
against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) written in
2003. The move points to the possibility that the two issues may
be linked. The reason for the detainments is still unclear but the
Turkish NTV channel has reported that the detainees allegedly have the
same signatures as those found on documents related to the Balyoz plan.

Those taken into custody include Navy Cmdr. Ozden Ornek, Brig. Gen.

Umit Ozcan, Lt. Gen. Engin Alan, Lt. Gen. Ayhan Taþ, Gen. Ergin Saygun
and Gen. Ibrahim Firtina. Another 10 colonels were also reportedly
detained in the same operation. So far detainments have taken place in
Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa and Izmir. All of the detainees are expected
to be brought to Istanbul. Seven detained officials were brought to
Istanbul from Ankara on the 1:30 p.m. flight.

Turkish police searched the homes of the two retired Army generals
early on Monday. The searches were made in the Istanbul houses of Gen.

Cetin Dogan and Brig. Gen. Suha Tanyeli. Later on in the day on Monday
after the searches Gen. Dogan, who is allegedly the mastermind behind
the Balyoz plan, was also taken into custody.

Meanwhile Turkish news channels have reported that searches in
locations in Ankara and Turkey are ongoing and include a search of
the headquarters of the veteran support group Mehmetcik Foundation.

Turkish military chief Basbug delayed an official visit to Egypt
as police detained the retired military officials for suspected
involvement in the alleged coup plot, CNNTurk and daily Radikal
reported.

Minister of the Interior Besir Atalay told reporters he is following
developments very closely and that the detainments are being carried
out at the request of the judiciary.

Tensions between the military and the government have been on the
rise ever since police began detaining military personnel in the
course of alleged coup plot investigations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress