At least 20 detained in new wave of Ergenekon
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Turkish police detained at least 20 people in several provinces around the country Thursday under the latest wave of the controversial Ergenekon investigation, TV channels reported. Police searched the offices of a private TV channel and a union. The opposition CHP reiterated its criticism over the probe. (UPDATED)
Mustafa Ozbek, the chairman of Turkish Metal Union, Erhan Goksel, the chairman of Verso Center of Political Research, and Unal Inanc, a journalist specializing in judicial affairs, were among the latest detainees in the operation.
Police are also conducting searches at the headquarters of Avrasya TV (ART), the Turkish Metal Union and Sirinoglu Center for Social and Strategic Researches in
Dogan News Agency (DHA) said e
TV channels said nearly 30 people were detained in the operations held in thirteen provinces, including
MORE DETAINMENTS EXPECTED
Istanbul Deputy Chief Prosecutor Turan Colakkadi told reporters that there could be more detainments in the coming days.depending on the evidence uncovered in Thursday's operations.
"At the moment, searches are taking place in more than 30 places in various provinces. There could be more detentions according to documents or evidence found. That is why I cannot give a figure," he said.
An additional indictment, which covers those detained after the sixth wave of the operation in July 1, would be prepared within four weeks, he added.
The detainees, whose homes and workplaces are being searched, will be transferred to Istanbul where trials are currently underway for those charged in the Ergenekon case.
The case, which divided Turkey, was filed against more than 80 people on the charge of forming an illegal organization to provoke a series of events that would pave the way for a military coup. However many believe the government use the Ergenekon case as an excuse to suppress its opposition.
A court last week formally arrested more than a dozen more suspects, bringing the total of people involved in the case to more than 100.
CRITICISM FROM OPPOSITION, UNIONS
The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) reiterated its criticism that the aim of the Ergenekon probe is to suppress the unions and opponent media organs.
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The chairmen of the labor unions, including the Mustafa Kumlu from the Confederation of the Turkish Labor Unions (Turk-Is), visited the home of Ozbek in a show of solidarity to the detained union leader.
"The truth will come to light after an investigation," Kumlu told media outside Ozbek's home.
The Contemporary Journalists’ Association (CGD) also criticized the raid on the offices of ART television. "The Ergenekon case process has turned into a movement that aims to suppress, daunt and frighten the press, mass organizations and the public," the head of the association, Ahmet Akabay, said in a statement.