It is not easy to get used to what's happening. Coups d'état have been a part of Turkey's reality since the 1960s, but until now, coup planners have never been tried in civilian courts. Since coup planners were never prosecuted in the past, coups had become synonymous with the idea of "changing the legitimate power." It was as if there were two ways to change power in Turkey, and that was either by election or by a coup d'état. Coups were presented as an innocent way of changing the constitutional power.It is for this reason that the focus of the second indictment in the trial of Ergenekon on coup planners has incited concern and panic in some circles. Civilians who cooperated, aided and participated with coup planners enjoyed some kind of benefit in return. Now, for the first time ever, coup planners are standing trial and the expectations of obtaining power are being replaced with the fear of getting arrested. Some are afraid to return to Turkey, others are making comments that the current events aren't good for Turkey's reputation, and others are saying, "The true children of the republic and respected individuals are being targeted." Why? Because the current events are "a first" for Turkey.
There are other firsts as well. Retired generals and force commanders are for the first time being removed from the military realm, questioned and arrested. For the first time, active duty offers are being arrested. Commanders of gendarmerie battalions are being turned over to the law in relation to unsolved cases, and the efforts of prosecutors to shed light on thousands of unsolved murder cases are unprecedented. Excavations are being carried out and hopes are rising that light will be shed on the killings of people such as Uğur Mumcu, Bahriye Üçok, Çetin Emeç, Abdi İpekçi and Ahmet Taner Kışlalı -- killings that intended to drag the country into a war between secularism and religion.
Claims and suspicions that the deadly events in Gazi, Sivas, Kahramanmaraş and Çorum were part of plans by organizations within the state to incite conflict between Sunnis and Alevis are being investigated for the first time.
Aren't these steps that will impact memorized discourse?
Imagine what it means to expose the dark relations involved in setting up the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) or to confront claims that critical information was leaked to the PKK for them to conduct raids and to face the painful truth that terror was used to maintain tutelage over the legitimate powers. Wouldn't these destroy taboos or alter the chemistry of certain people?
Taking steps to reveal the truth without focusing on the words of a killer who attacked the Council of State because he believed he was "God's soldier" and he needed to "punish the enemies of the headscarf," and merging the case with the Ergenekon case most likely has dumbfounded some circles.
Also, it is the first time ever that weapons and explosions enough to destroy an entire city are being uncovered. Former İstanbul Mayor Bedrettin Dalan, who escaped detention in the last wave of arrests in the Ergenekon case, spoke with TV host Uğur Dündar over the telephone from America. Dalan asked Dündar what the big deal was, noting that the weapons that had been uncovered were not enough to supply a battalion or carry out a coup. This is an example of being dumbfounded. No one is saying these weapons were going to be used for a military coup. Instead, it is believed these weapons were going to be used to plot assassinations, murders and explosions to incite panic and prepare the foundation for a coup. But an atmosphere for a coup can be created with even just 20 hand grenades. It would only take -- God forbid -- a few explosions in populous areas such as shopping centers or ferryboats for coup planners to take control.
And finally, for the first time a former chief of general staff is testifying before civilian prosecutors.
This case is marked by a plethora of firsts. For the first time, those who thought they had immunity from the law are being tried in court. For the first time, those who thought they would never be held accountable are being asked to provide answers. For the first time, a strong will is taking action against illegal structures within the government, which is the chief impediment to democracy in Turkey. For the first time, brave prosecutors and courageous police officials who are not meddling in affairs that don't concern them are encouraging a significant majority of the people about a better future and democracy. And for the first time ever, a determination and political will to resolve century-old problems, end polarization and eliminate all tensions is being presented.
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