Former Turkish army chief was arrested
ANKARA (Xinhua): Early on Friday Former Turkish army chief of staff General Ilker Basbug was arrested as part of an investigation into an anti-government plot.
According to media reports, the arrest came after the Istanbul public prosecutor on Thursday demanded to arrest Basbug on charges of leading a terrorist organization and attempting to overthrow the Turkish government.
Basbug has testified earlier as a suspect at an Istanbul court, and a public prosecutor with special authority, Cihan Kansiz, has took his testimony for an investigation launched by the Istanbul deputy chief prosecutor’s office.
It is the first time in Turkey’s history that a former army chief of staff testifies before a public prosecutor.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Friday, “We are witnessing a trial process taking place within the legal system. Everyone has responsibilities in the legal system. So, everyone is equal before the law.”
Basbug, who retired in 2010, is the highest-ranking officer arrested for a probe into the so-called Ergenekon network, an alleged clandestine organization within the state structure accused of plotting to overthrow the government.
Several hundred defendants, including retired senior officers, lawyers, academics and journalists, have been put on trial in cases relating to the investigation.
