Prosecutor demands merger of Erzincan terror trial with Çiçek’s case

Three National Intelligence Organization (MİT) officials charged with being a part of an apparent military plot against the government were asked about their alleged attempt to plant unlicensed weaponry and narcotics in homes, schools and other institutions owned by the religious Gülen movement during yesterday’s hearing of the terror trial in Erzurum.

The Erzurum 2nd High Criminal Court continued the case on Monday, with all suspects -- except 3rd Army Commander Gen. Saldıray Berk, once again -- being brought to the court building under high security.

The suspects are accused of putting into operation an apparent military plot -- titled the Action Plan to Fight Reactionaryism -- to undermine the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and certain religious communities in the eastern province of Erzincan. The plot, drafted by Col. Dursun Çiçek, was intended to undermine the power of the AK Party, eventually leading to a military coup.

The 14 suspects, including now-jailed Erzincan Chief Public Prosecutor İlhan Cihaner, Eskişehir Provincial Gendarmerie Regiment Commander Col. Recep Gençoğlu, Erzincan Provincial Gendarmerie Intelligence Department Director Nedim Ersan and MİT Erzincan Department Director Şinasi Demir, were present during the fifth hearing in the trial held yesterday.

After the MİT Undersecretary gave MİT officials permission to deliver their testimonies during the trial, they began to testify to the court yesterday.

The indictment accuses MİT officials of attempting to plant unlicensed weaponry and narcotics in homes, schools and other institutions owned by the religious Gülen movement.

MİT officials Sadri Barkın İnce and Kıvılcım Üstel and Demir testified to the court yesterday.

During his cross examination during yesterday’s hearing, Üstel was asked whether he had entrusted Erzincan, a secret witness, to plant weapons in the homes of Gülen followers.

A witness, codenamed Erzincan, who was entrusted with the task of planting the weapons, had informed the prosecutors about the plot and said he felt guilty for nearly becoming an instrument in such a plot. According to the indictment Cihaner and the secret witness met in a vehicle outside town, where Cihaner told him to do whatever he was told by MİT officials. “If you don’t do as he says and complain, we will be angry, and we will bring you and your family down. We will finish off your family, kill your father and get your brothers fired.”

Üstel confirmed that he had met with Erzincan a few times within the knowledge of the MİT Undersecretary’s Office but denied accusations that he had given him such a task.

The suspects in the trial face a jail sentence of up to 10 years each. The Action Plan to Fight Reactionaryism mentions military plans to discredit the AK Party and religious communities in the country. According to the plot, religious communities would be presented to the public as “terrorist organizations” through subversive plans. Members of the military were to plant weapons and ammunition at the homes of followers of certain religious communities. Police raids at these houses would result in the arrest of those individuals. The public would then start believing that religious communities had “terrorist intentions,” according to the plot.

MİT official İnce also argued that he performed his duties at the Destructive Religious Activities branch of MİT in Erzincan. İnce also confirmed that he had met with Erzincan 20 times.

The lawyer of the MİT officials standing trial in the case, Sadullah Kara, demanded the court investigate secret witness Erzincan’s link with the Gendarmerie Intelligence Department.

Arguing that Erzincan involved his clients in the trial with his false testimonies, Kara said he believes that the secret witness has links to the gendarmerie intelligence since he has broad and detailed knowledge about Gülen followers in Erzincan, and he cannot gather such detailed information on his own.

Demir, who is indicted for membership in the organization and threatening individuals, dismissed the charges. “I have no link to Dursun Çiçek and the Ergenekon organization. I am innocent,” he said. Demir denied claims that he categorized followers of the movement in Erzincan but said he gathered information since he is an intelligence officer.

In the meantime, Gen. Berk did not show up for yesterday’s hearing at the Erzurum court once again. He is not expected to attend the trial in the near future as his lawyer said the general was given a long-term assignment in Ankara by the Land Forces Command.