17 July 2009 / ÇAĞLAR AVCI, İSTANBUL
Retired Gen. Veli Küçük, who is currently under arrest as part of an investigation into Ergenekon, a criminal gang allegedly seeking to overthrow the government, was hospitalized on Thursday. Meanwhile, Ergenekon suspect Arif Doğan was released by a court order due to health reasons.
Küçük, who has been under arrest since July 2007 and is accused of being the leader of Ergenekon, was taken to Bakırköy Sadi Konuk Research and Teaching Hospital on Thursday. He will undergo medical tests at the facility, after which the status of his health will be made public. In February Küçük underwent treatment for one week at the same hospital for complaints of gastric bleeding. After a thorough examination at the hospital, no serious health problems were detected and Küçük was sent back to prison.
Küçük was also hospitalized in July of last year for injuries he sustained from a fall in a prison shower. Unlike other Ergenekon suspects who did not return to prison after being hospitalized, retired Gen. Küçük is one of the few detainees who have returned to prison. Meanwhile, Ergenekon suspect Col. Arif Doğan was released from prison yesterday by an İstanbul court for reasons of health.
