Simultaneous police operations were carried out in different provinces of Turkey early this morning (13 April) as part of the investigation into the clandestine ultranationalist Ergenekon organisation.

In Ankara, the rector of Başkent University, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Haberal, was taken into custody. His home was searched, and he is being taken to Istanbul. University staff protested at his detention in his street.

The Kanal B television station, which is on Başkent University campus, is also being searched. The police has said, however, that it will not interfere with the broadcasting programme.

The Patalya hotel, belonging to the Başkent University foundation, and co-founded by Haberal, is also being searched.

ÇYDD branches being searched

In Istanbul and in many cities around Turkey, the police is searching branches of the Association for the Support of a Modern Life (ÇYDD).

The headquarters in Beyoğlu, central Istanbul and Istanbul branches in Bakırköy and Kadıköy are among them. President of the association Prof. Dr. Türkan Saylan has told CNN Türk that the police is looking for weapons. Her own home in Istanbul is also being searched.

In Samsun, northern Turkey, the home of former 19th May University rector Prof. Dr. Ferit Bernay has been searched. Bernay has been taken into custody.

CNN Türk has also reported that Prof. Dr. Fatih Hilmioğlu, former rector of the İnönü University in Malatya, has been taken into custody.

ADD vice president's home being searched

According to Ntvmsnbc, the house of Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yurtkuran, former rector of Uludağ University in Bursa, and vice president of the Ataturkist Thought Association (ADD), has also been searched.

Kanal B is known for its broadcasts opposing the government, while the ÇYDD and the ADD were among the organisers of the “Republican Rallies” in 2007.

The Ergenekon investigation started with the find of a weapons cache in a house in Ümraniye, Istanbul, on 12 July 2007. Since then, two trials have been started. A third indictment is currently being prepared. (EÖ/AG)