Military prosecutors conducted a detailed search at Güler’s house on Wednesday as part of an investigation launched into the passphrase scandal. Prosecutors, accompanied by police officers, seized several documents and CDs from the officer’s house. During an interrogation by prosecutors, Güler said he prepared the notorious passphrase.
At sunset every day, soldiers posted at garrisons and barracks are given a two-part passphrase that is changed each night as a precautionary measure to prevent unauthorized persons from infiltrating the premises and as a means for soldiers to be able to confirm one another’s identities in the dark. The passphrase system is of critical importance, as it can prevent accidents and harm to soldiers. Usually, the passphrases are innocuous -- one soldier calls out the first half of a passphrase to an approaching individual, such as “portakal” (orange), and the approaching soldier calls back with the correct matching word, such as “ağacı” (tree).
The passphrases are prepared monthly, and the passphrase in Balıkesir on Monday night was set to be “adi” (lowlife) followed by “başbakan” (prime minister). Shortly after the passphrase made its way into the media, the General Staff initiated an investigation into Güler.
The noncommissioned officer has been sent to a military prison.
