As the latest development regarding the Susurluk scandal, former Chief of Police Mehmet Ağar was sentenced to imprisonment of five years on charges of "establishing an armed organization to commit crimes".

Ağar was allegedly involved in the so-called Susurluk scandal. Several occupants died in an accident in Susurluk (Aegean coast) in 1996 that caused a major scandal in the country because it revealed connections between the Istanbul police, the neo-fascist Grey Wolves organisation and politicians. Ever since, people in Turkey talk of a "deep state", that is illegal forces that act behind the screen of a democratic government.

Mehmet Ağar was the only person who was not prosecuted in the scope of the actual Susurluk trial. The Ankara 11^th High Criminal Court had previously demanded a prison sentence of between 6 months and one year for Ağar under the above mentioned allegations.

In case of an appeal the file will be submitted to the Court of Appeals. Regarding the standard reductions, Ağar will have to go to prison for three years and nine months if the decision is would be finalized by the supreme court.

As reported by ntvmsnbc, the State Council 1^st Chamber based the decision for Ağar's prosecution on four charges:

* Establishing an armed organization for the purpose of committing crimes

* Not informing competent authorites about his knowledge regarding the hiding place of absent arrested defendant Abdullah Catlı and aiding him to hide

* Misconduct in office by issuing an illegal permit to carry guns for Abdullah Catlı and Yaşar Öz

* Misconduct in office by issuing a specially stamped (green) passport to Abdullah Çatlı and Yaşar Öz

Ağar: "We committed our lives to the word 'Turkish Nation'"

Defence lawyers Abdulkadir Toluç and Abdullah Egeli released a written statement on behalf of their client Mehmet Ağar after the hearing. It read, "The first sentence of the court decision starts with the words 'In the name of the Turkish Nation'. It is not important for us how this sentence was continued or will be carried on. These are the words we lost our hearts to and we committed our lives to".

Ağar said that he was sure about himself and that he had a clear conscience. He announced that in his opinion the decision was going to be "straightened out" by the Court of Appeals. (EKN/VK)