Ergenekon Prosecutors Investigate Killing of 33 Soldiers

16 years ago, 33 soldiers were killed on the road from Bingöl to Elazığ in the south-east of Turkey. Private Erdal Özdemir was injured in the attack but survived. In his statement he gave to the Ergenekon Prosecutors he claimed, "I thought that the attack could have been done by Ergenekon".

The Ergenekon organization is a clandestine, ultra-nationalist terrorist organization charged with various crimes staged for the ultimate purpose of overthrowing the government.

On 24 May 1993, the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) stopped 2 vehicles transporting soldiers on the highway form Bingöl to Elazığ. The PKK members executed the privates that were on their way back from a recruit training. The 4 soldiers Erkan Omay, Erdal Özdemir, Erdem Doğan and Osman Parta were injured in the attack but could be saved.

Özdemir explicated the incident in his detailed statement, "This action was intended to trigger a fight between Kurds and Turks as an aftermath of the attack. It was done to create an environment of chaos in the country".

"I was threatened when I asked questions to the general"

Erdal Özdemir also recalled his participation in a TV program on the issue in 2006. He addressed the following question to retired General Necati Özgen, then Gendarmerie Regional Commander: "Why did you send 50 soldiers without weapons and any other protection? You gave the order, why did you not protect us?"

According to Özdemir, Özgen did not even raise his head on the question. However, he called him back 10 minutes later at his home and threatened Özdemir: "Why do you talk like that? You will die for saying such things. You will entreat while I kill you. You will regret this". Özdemir said that he passed the subject to the prosecutor's office after this incident. He stated, "Instead of finding the person who threatened me, they took the statement of my brother in law... I think the threat could have been related to Ergenekon. I want this to be investigated". (BÇ/VK)