Generals under arrest

The second day of the ‘Sledgehammer’ case: Active-duty generals Balabanli, Memiş and five active-duty colonels and six retired officers, two of which were generals have all been arrested.

The high-level of activity ongoing in the Beşiktaş court continued again yesterday. Twenty high-ranking officials, including nine active officers, two of which were major generals and 11 retired officers were all brought to the court to testify today as suspects in the Sledgehammer (Balyoz) case.

THIRTEEN OFFICERS ARRESTED

Amongst those transferred to the courts today to testify, active duty generals Ihsan Balabanli and Bekir Memiş were arrested along with colonels Gurcan, Yildiz, Oncel, Ozcelik and lieutenant colonel Yildirim. Two active duty colonels however, were released. 

ADMIRAL OGUTCU WAS ALSO ARRESTED

Retired Vice Admiral Oğütcü as well as retired General Yalçin, retıred Major General Ocak and Colonels Küçükkılıç and Aytin were also arrested. Five retired officers, including two generals were released.

Retired North Naval Field Commander Admiral Ali Feyyaz Öğütçü was arrested after testifying yesterday and placed in the Metris Penitentiary.

QUESTIONS REGARDING BOMBINGS OF MOSQUES AND ASSASSINATIONS

Meanwhile, police from the Istanbul Police Department stated that the detained officers reacted harshly when questioned on allegations of intentions to bomb the Fatih and Beyazit Mosques. Supposedly the commanders exasperatedly stated; “How could a Turkish soldier ever consider doing such a thing?” They reacted similarly when asked about allegations of intentions to bring down Turkish jets and stated that such an issue couldn’t even be debatable. The officers were also questioned regarding harboring intentions to stage assassinations on non-Muslims in Adapazari, and an intended assassination of the Armenian patriarch Mutafyan, however all denied knowledge of such claims. Supposedly, retired General Cetin Dogan, who is suspected of being the architect of the Balyoz Plan, told police forces that he would provide his testimony to prosecutors. Other generals in custody also made similar requests to answer questions by prosecutors and not police officers.  

Retired admirals Özden Örnek and İbrahim Fırtına were joined today by former military commander Ergin Saygun for questioning and tomorrow retired General Çetin Doğan is expected to be brought to court to testify.

At present, 48 military officials have been detained for questioning, including four active-duty admirals, 17 retired generals and admirals and 26 officers and one petty officer.  Of those that have testified thus far; five admirals, two of which are active duty and two retired colonels have been arrested, while two retired admirals, one retired general and three retired colonels have been released.