Specially Authorized Prosecutor Sadrettin Sarıkaya was removed from the case, which is investigating the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK), over the weekend and the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) also initiated an inquiry into whether the prosecutor overstepped his authority in his investigation of National Intelligence Agency (MİT) officials.
Such an investigation can go ahead only if it is authorized by the minister of justice.
At the heart of the current investigation is suspected collaboration between the KCK and MİT officials who infiltrated the KCK to gather intelligence about the activities of the organization but allegedly ended up involved in illegal acts and attacks perpetrated by the KCK. Prosecutors say the KCK is a political umbrella organization that includes the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist organization.
Reports in the media claim that according to documents in the case file, the KCK was actually founded under MİT oversight. It has also been alleged that orders for some of the KCK's attacks were given from sources inside MİT.
The government, which criticized the prosecutor's attempt to question MİT Chairman Hakan Fidan and other officials from the intelligence agency, is pushing for a bill that requires prosecutors to receive special permission from the prime minister when taking legal action against or questioning MİT officials at the country's Constitutional Court.
