Next Ergenekon Wave May Target Members of the Military
A new wave of detentions in the ongoing investigation into Ergenekon, a clandestine criminal organization charged with plotting to overthrow the government, may target members of the Turkish military, recent developments suggest.
The strongest indication is a flash decision by Zekeriya Öz, the chief prosecutor conducting the Ergenekon probe, to call in Dursun Çiçek, a colonel who allegedly put together an action plan to mar the image of the governing Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Gülen movement, to testify in the investigation.
The alleged military plot against the AK Party and the Gülen movement has increased tension in the country, with many questioning whether the Turkish military was engaged in a coup plan. The General Staff's Military Prosecutor's Office and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) released separate statements to address the alleged plot, but they fell short of satisfying the concerns lingering in the minds of the public.
It is not yet certain whether Col. Çiçek will be detained as part of the Ergenekon probe or will be invited to the prosecutor's office to testify.
Judicial sources speaking on the condition of anonymity said a new wave of detentions could be triggered based on Çiçek's testimony.
The government is also planning to take legal action over the alleged military plot. Government spokesperson and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Çiçek stated on Monday that the government wanted to know who was behind the plan, which was published by the liberal Taraf daily last week.
There have also been claims in the past few weeks that the next Ergenekon wave will target members of the military and bureaucrats. In the meantime, some AK Party officials have expressed reluctance about initiating a parliamentary probe to investigate all aspects of the action plan. They believe such a move would slow down the legal process against the plan.
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