Turkish ret. general released after arrested under Ergenekon probe

Earlier, Tolon was sent to the Gulhane Military Medical Academy (GATA) in Ankara because of his health problems.

 

Officials said that the decision to release Tolon was taken due to lack of evidence and his legal status, not as a result of his health problems, the local media reported on Saturday.Â

 

Tolon was taken to hospital in September from the high-security prison, where he is being held under the controversial Ergenekon operation, in the northwestern province of Turkey.

 

Earlier reports suggested Tolon is suffering from high blood pressure and excessive weight loss. Tolon has lost a total of 12 kilograms since he was imprisoned at the beginning of September.

 

The Ergenekon operation, which started in June 2007 with the discovery of grenades in a house in Istanbul’s Umraniye district, is allegedly a crackdown on an illegal organization believed to be planning provoking events that would pave the way for a military coup to overthrow the ruling AKP government.

 

Tolon was among the retired generals detained under the operation which critics say used by the government to suppress opponents.