Alleged anti-gov't paper aims to slander military

Gen. Ilker Basbug told in a rare news conference the military sees the document he referred to as "just a piece of paper" as aiming to weaken and divide the army.

He urged civilian prosecutors to find out who is behind the document, and guaranteed the military would not allow in its ranks anti-democratic elements involved in coup plots.

Basbug slammed criticism directed at a military investigation that concluded the alleged document was a forgery, not prepared at the General Staff headquarters.

"The remarks suggesting that military courts are biased are very ugly," he said, calling on all to respect the prosecutors' findings.

"I, as the commander of the Turkish Armed Forces, am telling you very frankly to remove your hands from the Turkish Armed Forces and give up on your thoughts, as well as efforts, to politically identify yourself through the armed forces," Basbug said.

"Put an end to the disproportional psychological war conducted against the Turkish Armed Forces through the media," he added.

Basbug hinted that a second military investigation could be launched if new evidence proved the alleged document was genuine.

The Turkish army chief briefed the press for an hour over the recent developments in the country at the General Staff headquarters in the capital Ankara.

The alleged military plan published in daily Taraf earlier this month has increased tension between the government and the military and has changed the entire country’s political landscape.

The document was aimed particularly at the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, and the Gulen movement, which are accused of trying to undermine Turkey’s secular order and establish an Islamic state.

The issue is to be investigated by a civilian court after the military probe concluded the document is a forgery.