Former military chief arrested in alleged plot against Turkish government

By the CNN Wire Staff

updated 10:51 AM EST, Fri January 6, 2012

Gen. Ilker Basbug has been charged in a plot to overthrow Turkey's government (file photo).

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Gen. Ilker Basbug is the highest-ranking officer to be accused
• The Islamic-backed government alleges a military plot
• Critics say the government wants to emasculate the military

Istanbul (CNN) -- Turkey's former military chief was behind bars Friday pending trial for his alleged role in a plot to overthrow the government.

Gen. Ilker Basbug is the highest-ranking officer to be accused in a long-running tussle between the Islamic-backed government and Turkey's secular establishment, defended by the military.

Basbug was arrested and taken to Silivri prison after testifying for seven hours Thursday in an Istanbul court, Basbug's lawyer Ilkay Sezer told reporters.

He stands accused of involvement with the so-called Ergenekon network, a nationalist group that prosecutors say created dozens of websites disseminating propaganda aimed at bringing down the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"The 26th chief of general staff of the Turkish Republic is unfortunately arrested based on charges related to eliminating the government of Turkish Republic and establishing and leading a terrorist organization," Sezer said.

Basbug retired as commander of the Turkish armed forces in 2010. He is the latest in a long line of military staff who stands accused of plotting against the government.

A probe was launched in 2007, after the discovery of a stash of grenades and bomb-making materials in Istanbul.

It led to waves of arrests and several court cases involving both civilians and former and active-duty officers.

More than 300 people have been arrested in connection with Ergenekon. Among them are 97 journalists, according to the Turkish Press Union.

The government's crackdown has polarized Turkish society, which has seen the military overthrow four governments in the past 50 years.

Some view the government's actions in curbing military power as important steps to democratization in Turkey, a candidate for European Union membership.

But critics say the investigation is a political witch hunt. They accuse Erdogan, an observant Muslim, of silencing his opponents and emasculating the secular establishment, including the military.

Last July, Turkey's top four military officers resigned after a squabble with the government over the fate of officers jailed in the alleged plot against the Justice and Development Party.

Friday, Turkish President Abdullah Gul told journalists that Basbug's arrest did not prove guilt.

"No one can be declared guilty before a decision of the court," Gul said. "Everyone is equal in the court of law. This is a legal process."

CNN's Yesim Comert and Talia Kayali contributed to this report.

Part of complete coverage on

updated 12:24 PM EST, Wed January 4, 2012

Tales of war leave out half the story much of the time: Women. But Angelina Jolie's new movie shows how raping women has become a weapon of war.

Wasabi lovers may want to add more than a small pinch to their soy sauce the next time they opt for sushi. The fiery green paste has been found to possess health benefits.

updated 12:54 PM EST, Wed January 4, 2012

How a fashion designer and polymer chemist are fusing style and substance to create clothes that clean our environment.

updated 6:35 PM EST, Wed January 4, 2012

"The Iran Job" follows American basketball player Kevin Sheppard as he accepts the opportunity to play in Iran.

CNN's Pedro Pinto looks at 10 footballers who could make a big impact at a new club in the second half of this season.

updated 5:45 AM EST, Wed January 4, 2012

Republicans hold their first vote for a presidential candidate, setting the scene for what may be a choice between two very different men.

updated 9:22 AM EST, Wed January 4, 2012

Many Libyan children have been killed or injured in accidents involving guns and explosives, left over from the civil war.

updated 10:27 AM EST, Wed January 4, 2012

The killing of Stephen Lawrence in 1993 was followed by two decades of collapsed court cases and police blunders.

updated 7:47 AM EST, Wed January 4, 2012

A former child soldier separated from his family during Sudan's civil war talks about his hopes for his new country.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/06/world/europe/turkey-military-arrest/index.html

news channel 5 nathan hale kohls coupons joe kapp joe kapp kohls target