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‘Evidence galvanizes EU support for Ergenekon investigation’
While announcing its newest progress report on Turkey in October, the EU’s executive body, which had lightly touched upon the issue in last year’s progress report, chose to highlight its full support for the ongoing trial into Ergenekon.
The report stated that the ongoing Ergenekon trial is an “opportunity for Turkey to strengthen confidence in the proper functioning of its democratic institutions and the rule of law.”
The Ergenekon investigation started in June 2007 with the discovery of hand grenades at a house in İstanbul’s Ümraniye district. Dozens of suspects, including members of the military, businessmen and journalists have been arrested for suspected links to the terrorist organization.
“This means that the evidence which surfaced in the past one year -- the explosives which have been seized, the wiretap records, plans and plots -- must have also led to uneasiness among the officials from the 27-member nations who are responsible for enlargement. Therefore they must have openly reflected within the report that this trial should be considered an opportunity. The only reason is concrete evidence, what else can it be?” Bağış remarked in a recent interview with Today’s Zaman, when asked about the significant change in the European Commission’s approach toward the issue.
“The investigation of the alleged criminal network Ergenekon has led to serious criminal charges involving military officers and nationalist circles. This case is an opportunity for Turkey to strengthen confidence in the proper functioning of its democratic institutions and the rule of law. It is important that proceedings in this context fully respect the due process of law, in particular the rights of defendants,” the progress report said.
Most recently, as part of the investigation into Ergenekon, a plan known as the Cage Operation Action Plan has been revealed. According to the plan, a group in the Naval Forces Command aimed to intimidate the country’s non-Muslim population by assassinating some of their prominent figures and in this way undermine the power of the ruling party.
“Not really,” Bağış replied when asked whether he received many questions from his European counterparts regarding details of the trial. “Everything is obvious. Europeans expect the trial to be eventually ended with the acquittal of probable innocent individuals, while punishing those who are involved in attempting to topple the democratic system by establishing militia forces and gangs through anti-democratic means,” he added.
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