The former president of Türk Metal's Manisa branch, Ali Özaltın, has testified to Ergenekon prosecutors, claiming that 80 employees of the union were paid monthly salaries from TL 1,500 to 3,000 just to ensure that they would not speak about the union's shady links.
These claims, among others put forth by the prosecutors conducting the Ergenekon investigation, are included in the evidence folders of the third indictment in the case. Prosecutors say Özbek used the union to fund activities of the organization. Currently, 146 suspects are standing trial as suspected members of Ergenekon.
An excerpt from Özaltın's testimony reads, “Individuals who have been appointed to posts in the union administration and therefore who have knowledge of illegal incidents going on inside the union are being regularly paid money not to speak, under various pretexts.” Özaltın's testimony also includes names of individuals who he claims have been paid regularly not to talk over the past eight to 10 years.
