Plot Col. Çiçek and two naval commanders to be expelled at YAŞ

This year’s YAŞ meeting, to be held between Aug. 1 and 4, is likely to be one of the most critical YAŞ meetings ever held. According to what Today’s Zaman has learned, two high-ranking naval commanders as well as Çiçek will be expelled from the TSK during the meetings. The naval commanders are reportedly among those who are mentioned in the probes into the Cage plan, a plot to assassinate non-Muslim community leaders, and the Sledgehammer military coup plan to overthrow the government.

Çiçek, whose signature appears on a suspected military plan called the Action Plan to Fight Reactionaryism, is currently in prison on coup charges. The plot details a military plan to destroy the image of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Gülen movement in the eyes of the public, to downplay the Ergenekon investigation and to gather support for members of the military arrested as part of the investigation into Ergenekon. A recently prepared military indictment against the colonel also holds him responsible for the plot and seeks his expulsion.

Land Forces Commander Gen. Işık Koşaner will replace Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ, who is expected to retire. Koşaner reportedly plans to distance himself from some controversial names at the center of criticism during Başbuğ’s term. Among them is the General Staff’s legal advisor, Brig. Gen. Hıfzı Çubuklu, who caused problems for Başbuğ with his strong defense of Çiçek. Koşaner reportedly will not work with Çubuklu. He is said to be of the opinion that the image of a TSK that protects its members who are standing trial damages the institution and that their promotion should be held up until their trials are concluded.

This year’s YAŞ is likely to be one of the most critical ever held. Two high-ranking naval commanders as well as Col. Dursun Çiçek are expected to be expelled.

YAŞ meets every August to discuss promotions and dismissals within the armed forces.

The upcoming YAŞ meeting, which will also be attended by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül, is extraordinarily important for Turkey in order to see the approach of the TSK in the face of alleged anti-democratic formations within itself. There are a couple of high-ranking officers awaiting promotion at YAŞ who stand accused in separate trials of involvement in suspected military plots aimed at undermining the AK Party government. Today’s Zaman has learned that not so many expulsion decisions will be taken during the meeting. These controversial names will be either forced to retire or continue to serve at their posts for one more year.

However, Article 65 of the Law on TSK Staff prohibits the promotion of a military member if he is on trial. It is almost certain that jailed Col. Çiçek will be dismissed from the TSK during this year’s YAŞ meetings. A recently prepared military indictment, which points to Col. Dursun Çiçek as the sole culprit, also strengthens the likelihood of his expulsion. The indictment argues that with the action plan, the colonel sought to “discredit” the TSK after he was denied a promotion to admiral in 2007.

The indictment was drafted by the Military Prosecutor’s Office and demanded up to six years in prison and expulsion from the military for the colonel for abuse of power. It seems almost impossible for Çiçek to be still under the roof of the TSK.

The promotion or retirement of a total of 134 admirals and generals will be discussed at this year’s YAŞ. Thirty-two generals and admirals are expected to be promoted, and the assignments of 50 generals and admirals are expected to be prolonged.

Among the military officers who have suspected ties to anti-democratic groups within the armed forces and are awaiting promotion in this year’s YAŞ meeting are Gen. Hasan Iğsız, Gen. Saldıray Berk, Gen. Yurdaer Olcan, Gen. Nejat Bek, Gen. İhsan Balabanlı, Vice Adm. Kadir Sağdıç, Rear Adm. Mehmet Fatih İlğar, Vice Adm. Mehmet Otuzbiroğlu and Gen. Gürbüz Kaya.

Iğsiz is expected to be promoted to replace Koşaner as the land forces commander but can only serve in this capacity for a year due to his age. He is believed to have given the order to Col. Çiçek to prepare the action plan to undermine the ruling party and the Gülen movement. His signature appears on the alleged document. He has not been included in separate civilian and military investigations into the plan. Vice Adm. Sağdıç is believed to be the “number two man” behind an alleged Naval Forces Command plan called the Cage Operation Action Plan. This plan allegedly aimed to undermine the AK Party by assassinating prominent non-Muslim figures in Turkey and then deflecting responsibility on to the party. Neither the promotion nor the expulsion of Sağdıç is expected during the meeting.

The current assignment of Rear Adm. İlğar, who is believed to be the “number three man” behind the same plot, is expected to be extended for one more year. Gen. Berk’s situation will be also discussed during the meeting. Gen. Berk is the highest-ranking member of the military indicted in the coup trial. He is the commander of the 3rd Army. Although he seeks to become the head of the Gendarmerie General Command, his promotion is not expected.