ERGENEKON TRIAL

Kanal 6 owner Mehmet Kurt and two further people, previously taken into custody in the scope of the Ergenekon Investigation, were released on 14 February after they had been summoned to the Istanbul Beşiktaş prosecution.

Prosecutors Zekeriya Öz and Fikret Seçen released the three suspects after an interrogation of seven hours in regard to the so-called "Ergenekon" investigation launched in June 2007. The Ergenekon organization is a clandestine terrorist organization charged with various crimes staged for the ultimate purpose of triggering a military coup.

Medical treatment of Ecevit in focus

The hearings of the "Second Ergenekon" case, held on the premises of the Silivri Penal Institution, are heard before the Istanbul 13^th High Criminal Court. The court decided to acquire all documents such as papers, reports, x-rays and graphics related to the medical treatment received by previous Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit in Başkent Hospital in 2002.

Detained defendant of the Ergenekon case Prof. Dr. Mehmet Haberal used to be the rector of Başkent hospital.

"Poyrazköy" indictment to be considered

For the following session on 12 February, the court decided to acquire the indictments and attachments of the 'Poyrazköy' case, a trial on a weapons cache found in Poyrazköy (Istanbul) also concerning defendant Hasan Ataman Yıldırım, and of the 'Naval Forces Command Headquarter buildings' case regarding assassination plans worked out by military officers.

The trial was continued yesterday (15 February). The prosecutor demanded to release defendant Muzaffer Öztürk but the court declined the request. When Öztürk heard the decision he suddenly felt faint and needed medical treatment.

Radikal newspaper reiterated the claim that certain generals wanted to depose Ecevit and replace him by his deputy Hüsamettin Özkan. When Ecevit held on to his chair, he suddenly fell ill on 4 May 2002.

Ecevit was taken to the Başkent University Hospital founded by Prof. Haberal and diagnosed with  bowel inflammation. Ecevit left the hospital one day later to rest at home. Two days later, the then prime minister broke a rib and returned to the same hospital on 17 May 2002. According to the allegations, Ecevit worsened within the following eleven days. Upon a sudden decision of his wife Rahşan Ecevit, the former prime minister went home on 27 May 2002.

From that date onwards doctors from Başkent Hospital were not allowed to see Ecevit anymore. Another doctor took care of his treatment and Ecevit recovered in a short time. He did not go to his appointment on 11 July 2002 and broke ties with Başkent Hospital and Haberal.

Regarding the cancelled appointment, then Democratic Left Party (DSP) Deputy Chairman Emrehan Halıcı had claimed, "If he had gone, he would have been issued a report on being 'unfit' or 'incapable of working'. Based on this report he would have been deposed". Ecevit's bodyguard of the time Izmir MP Recai Birgün, who testifies to the Ergenekon prosecutors as a witness, was also approached by Haberal who suggested Ecevit's staying in hospital. Birgün said that subsequent to the treatment Haberal wanted Ecevit to come to hospitals for further examinations. However, when he was preparing to go to an examination, party officials supposedly told him "Don't go, they will issue a report on incapacity for work", so he severed relations with Haberal.

Three further arrests in Erzincan

Upon the directive of Erzurum Special Authority Public Prosecutor Osman Şanal three people were arrested in the context of the Ergenekokn investigation in the Yaylabaşı municipality belonging to Erzincan in north-eastern Turkey on 14 February.

The identities of the three arrested construction workers from a Public Housing Administration (TOKİ) construction site and the charges against them have not been announced yet. (EÖ/VK)