Turkish Leader Defends Inquiry Into Possible Plot
Turkish Leader Defends Inquiry Into Possible Plot
By SABRINA TAVERNISE and SEBNEM ARSU
Copyright by The New York Times
Published: February 26, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/world/europe/27turkey.html?ref=global-home
ISTANBUL — Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan weighed in on Turkey’s worsening political crisis on Friday, declaring that an investigation into alleged coup preparations was “for the benefit of the people,” while the Turkish police detained 18 more current and retired military officers and arrested two others.
Lt. Gen. Cetin Dogan of the Turkish Land Forces and retired Gen. Engin Alan, former head of special forces, according to Turkey’s Anatolian news agency — were among the highest ranking ever to have been arrested in Turkey.
The latest actions capped a week of high political drama in Turkey, where the Islamic-inspired political party that runs the government is locked in a power struggle with the country’s secular establishment, led by the military.
The detentions and arrests came just one day after three former high-ranking generals were released in a move that some hoped would ease the situation.
A majority of the officers taken into custody on Friday are active duty, the Anatolian news agency reported. They bring the number of detentions of military officers this week to more than 60.
Mr. Erdogan, speaking to lawmakers in Ankara, the capital, used strong language to defend the investigation, which is tied to a broader legal case that critics say has become a witch hunt against Mr. Erdogan’s enemies.
“Those who plot to crush people’s will behind closed doors should realize that from now on they will face the law,” Mr. Erdogan said. “The process under way is painstaking, but it is for the benefit of the people. Today’s developments are setting free the consciousness of the people.”
The detentions are part of an investigation into what prosecutors say was a 2003 plot by the military to foment civil unrest, like attacks in mosques, to provide a pretext for a coup to unseat the elected government. The military, for its part, has vigorously denied the allegations. It has not responded to the detentions.
Turkey’s military has long been immensely powerful, and has carried out four coups against elected governments in Turkey’s short history. With separate, military courts, it has long been considered untouchable, far above civilian control.
But its image has been badly dented in the struggle with Mr. Erdogan, with allegations of military misdeeds leaked to the news media, a development that would have been unheard of a decade ago.
The three generals who were released Thursday were the most senior military officers ever to be called for questioning in a civilian court. It remains unclear if the men, who had been detained for three days, will still be charged despite their release.
About 200 people are already in detention in a related case, known as Ergenekon, which also centers on coup plot allegations.
By SABRINA TAVERNISE and SEBNEM ARSU
Copyright by The New York Times
Published: February 26, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/world/europe/27turkey.html?ref=global-home
ISTANBUL — Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan weighed in on Turkey’s worsening political crisis on Friday, declaring that an investigation into alleged coup preparations was “for the benefit of the people,” while the Turkish police detained 18 more current and retired military officers and arrested two others.
Lt. Gen. Cetin Dogan of the Turkish Land Forces and retired Gen. Engin Alan, former head of special forces, according to Turkey’s Anatolian news agency — were among the highest ranking ever to have been arrested in Turkey.
The latest actions capped a week of high political drama in Turkey, where the Islamic-inspired political party that runs the government is locked in a power struggle with the country’s secular establishment, led by the military.
The detentions and arrests came just one day after three former high-ranking generals were released in a move that some hoped would ease the situation.
A majority of the officers taken into custody on Friday are active duty, the Anatolian news agency reported. They bring the number of detentions of military officers this week to more than 60.
Mr. Erdogan, speaking to lawmakers in Ankara, the capital, used strong language to defend the investigation, which is tied to a broader legal case that critics say has become a witch hunt against Mr. Erdogan’s enemies.
“Those who plot to crush people’s will behind closed doors should realize that from now on they will face the law,” Mr. Erdogan said. “The process under way is painstaking, but it is for the benefit of the people. Today’s developments are setting free the consciousness of the people.”
The detentions are part of an investigation into what prosecutors say was a 2003 plot by the military to foment civil unrest, like attacks in mosques, to provide a pretext for a coup to unseat the elected government. The military, for its part, has vigorously denied the allegations. It has not responded to the detentions.
Turkey’s military has long been immensely powerful, and has carried out four coups against elected governments in Turkey’s short history. With separate, military courts, it has long been considered untouchable, far above civilian control.
But its image has been badly dented in the struggle with Mr. Erdogan, with allegations of military misdeeds leaked to the news media, a development that would have been unheard of a decade ago.
The three generals who were released Thursday were the most senior military officers ever to be called for questioning in a civilian court. It remains unclear if the men, who had been detained for three days, will still be charged despite their release.
About 200 people are already in detention in a related case, known as Ergenekon, which also centers on coup plot allegations.
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