Earlier this year, Justice Ministry inspectors uncovered irregularities in a probe carried out by the Erzincan chief public prosecutor. An investigation was launched into Cihaner on the grounds that he did not inform the Justice Minister about his probe into the İsmailağa religious community. Cihaner carried out the investigation illegally, in violation of established legal practices, and overstepped his authority.
A lawsuit was filed against Cihaner at the Tunceli High Criminal Court. The court ruled in yesterday’s hearing that the Erzincan chief public prosecutor be tried on charges of “abuse of power” and “falsification of documents.” The court also forwarded Cihaner’s file to the 11th Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals.
If Cihaner is found guilty, he may face consecutive prison terms of up to 26 years.
The İsmailağa community is mentioned in an indictment into Ergenekon, a clandestine criminal organization accused of plotting to overthrow the government. According to the indictment, Erkan Kargın, one of the assailants in a deadly armed attack on the US Consulate General in İstanbul last year, was in close contact with a group within Ergenekon that was trying to infiltrate the religious community.
