07 October 2015•Update: 07 October 2015
ANKARA
The Turkish Supreme Court has begun appeal hearings in a long-running trial dubbed “Ergenekon”.
Ilker Basbug, Turkey’s former chief of staff, appeared on Wednesday before the Ankara court to defend himself against accusations that he plotted attacks against the Turkish government to pave the way for a military coup.
The former military chief was also accused of being part of an alleged “deep state” organization called Ergenekon.
During his three-hour defense in court, Basbug claimed that the Ergenekon trial was “a plot” against the Turkish Armed Forces.
“The armed forces were an obstacle for those who have been uneasy over nation-state, unitary and secular state; who want to implement moderate Islam and who want to punish the 1 March mandate; and who want a political solution to the PKK,” Basbug said.
The “1 March mandate” allowed U.S. forces to use Turkish bases from which to invade Iraq during the 2003 war. However, the Turkish parliament rejected the motion due to a lack of majority, complicating Washington’s plans for invasion.
Basbug blamed the [George W.] Bush administration for leaning towards plans against the Turkish armed forces.
He also said that the Fetullah Gulen movement was the “perpetrator” of these plans via its members in the judiciary and police force.
Basbug was sentenced by a court in Istanbul to life imprisonment in August 2013.
The Ergenekon case was filed seven years ago against 275 people, including military officers, politicians and journalists over a conspiracy to overthrow the Justice and Development Party, or AK Party, government.
On Tuesday, Dogu Perincek, the chairman of the ultra-nationalist Motherland Party, and General Hursit Tolon defended themselves against accusations. Perincek and Tolon were also sentenced to life by an Istanbul court.
