Türkİye

Turkey: 12 suspects testify in 'parallel state' probe

The testimony process began at noon Thursday, and lasted for about 11 hours. The court is due to issue an order about the investigation Friday.

19.12.2014 - Update : 19.12.2014
Turkey: 12 suspects testify in 'parallel state' probe

ISTANBUL

Twelve suspects detained in a recent police operation testified at a criminal court in Istanbul Thursday, court sources said.

The testimony process began at noon, and lasted for about 11 hours. The court is due to issue an order about the investigation Friday.

A police operation was launched Sunday against senior media figures and police officers in 13 provinces across Turkey for allegedly being affiliated with what the Turkish government described as the "parallel state," an alleged group of bureaucrats embedded in the country's institutions, including the judiciary and the police.

More than 20 suspects were taken into custody in the operation, including the editor-in-chief of Turkey’s Zaman daily, Ekrem Dumanli; chairman of Samanyolu Media Group Hidayet Karaca; producer Salih Aslan; director Engin Koc of Samanyolu TV, and Makbule Cam Alemdag, a scriptwriter of a TV series.

All the detainees were alleged to be linked with the U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gulen and his so-called Gulen movement. They were charged with forgery, fabricating evidence and forming an alleged crime syndicate to overtake the sovereignty of the state.

In December 2013, an anti-graft probe targeted a number of high-profile figures, including the sons of three former government ministers and leading Turkish businessmen.

The government had denounced the probe as a "dirty plot" constructed by the "parallel state."

Since then, hundreds of police officers have been detained on charges of eavesdropping on Turkey's top officials, disclosing highly sensitive information, forming and belonging to an organization to commit crime, violating privacy, illegally seizing personal information and the forgery of official documents.

www.aa.com.tr/en 

Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
Related topics
Bu haberi paylaşın