Kivrikoglu’s Remarks Spark Controversy
As jurists have interpreted these words as an intervention in the independence of the judiciary, Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk reacted to Kivrikoglu's remarks, mentioning no names, but saying that the allegations must be based on concrete evidence.
Stating that all serious claims regarding judges and prosecutors have been investigated by his ministry's inspectors, Turk said that people should not call the judiciary into question.
"There are some claims that are being investigated by Justice Ministry inspectors. But it is a fact that these allegations must be based on concrete evidence. Issues relating to the verdict can be appealed or objected to using legally recognized routes… Nobody can order judges about," Turk said.
"There are some claims that are being that are being investigated by Justice Ministry inspectors. But it is a fact that these allegations must be based on concrete evidence. Issues relating to the verdict can be appealed or objected to using legally recognized routes… Nobody can order judges about," Turk said.
Speaking to journalists at the reception marking the Victory Day national holiday on Wednesday, Chief of Staff Gen. Kivrikoglu said that he was surprised that the Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) could overturn a verdict by the Ankara DGM
"They have infiltrated everything," Kivrikoglu told reporters when questioned on the withdrawal of the arrest warrant. "They have even infiltrated the judiciary."
Kivrikoglu's remarks on other issues
Gen. Kivrikoglu, who had kept quiet since the "civil servant dismissals decree crisis," made bitter remarks at a reception:
"There are thousands of civil servants of various ranks who want to demolish the state. These include regional governors. They range from those in key positions to the lowest ranks. An arrangement for the dismissal of civil servants essential, either in the form of a decree with the power of law or an actual law.
This is a matter of prestige. These people are doing everything to destroy the country's integrity. They are merely being reprimanded or, at best, suspended for 20 days and they return to their jobs in an even more radical state of mind. If you don't remove rotten apples from the basket in time, all the apples become affected, then you lose the whole basket."
It is no secret that Gen. Kivrikoglu's comments will increase the pressure on Parliament to approve government proposals to purge radical elements from the civil service.
Kivrikoglu also urged party leaders to enforce strict discipline to ensure deputies voted for the legislation.
"This has become a matter of prestige for the government," said Kivrikoglu, adding that the military would closely monitor the passage of the bill through parliament.
Yuksel demands 10-year prison sentence for Gülen
What is interesting is that DGM Prosecutor Nuh Mete Yuksel opened a case against moderate Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen immediately after Kivrikoglu's comments criticizing the withdrawal of an arrest warrant for the preacher.
Yuksel yesterday demented a 10-year prison sentence for Gülen, who is accused of activities aimed at "replacing the secular state with one based on religious principles and forming an illegal organization to reach that goal."
Prosecutor Yuksel argued in a 79-page indictment that Fethullah Gülen has systematically implanted his followers in the civil service, particularly in the ranks of the police and in the Education Ministry, to create religious unrest.
Gülen, who is believed to be living in the United States, has a large following among Turks, who regard him as a moderate Islamic figure who preaches tolerance.
"Gülen's aim is to establish a theocratic Islamic dictatorship by having Islamic orders dominate the state," Yuksel said in his indictment, which was quoted by the Anatolia news agency.
Gülen reportedly left Turkey last year for the United States to seek medical treatment. His lawyer said he would not come back because he is in poor health.
Gülen runs scores of religious schools in Turkey and Central Asia and has ties with leading political parties, which court the votes of his followers.
On Monday, Istanbul No.2 DGM lifted the arrest warrant issued by Ankara No.2 DGM for Fethullah Gülen. 2000-01-09 00:00:00
- Created on .