Turkey's Ex-Military Chief Detained for Coup Involvement

Turkey's ex-military chief Ismail Hakki Karadayi has been detained in Istanbul over his involvement in the coup in February 1997 that ousted the country's first Islamist-led government.

Early this morning Karadayi has been been detained by the police from his home in Istanbul to be escorted to Ankara for his testimony. The detention order was given by Mustafa Bilgili, a chief prosecutor investigating the 1997 coup case.

Police took Karadayi into custody after retired general Cevik Bir, the second-highest ranking official in the army in 1997, accused him of playing a key role in the coup.

In April 2012, Bir and 31 other retired generals were arrested for ousting the Islamist government in 1997.

While the chief prosecutor Mustafa Bilgili has yet to complete his hundreds page long indictment, 90 suspects (with majority of them being retired generals) have been charged with "attempting to annihilate or dysfunction Turkish government in February 1997".

Karadayi arrived in Ankara this afternoon, where he was escorted to Ankara Justice Palace for his testimony. Three chief prosecutors including Mustafa Bilgili are expected to question Karadayi.

What happened in 1997?

On Feb. 28, 1997, the military-dominated National Security Council published a declaration harshly criticizing government policies and calling for action against "reactionary activities against Turkish revolution". Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan resigned four months later.

A new government was formed in July 1997 with the coalition of three parties.

Following the council declaration, the coalition government rose the compulsory education from 5 to 8 years, while religious schools were closed down for secondary schools.

In May 1997, Appeals Court Chief Prosecutor Vural Savaş filed a lawsuit against Necmettin Erbakan's Islamist party, charging for closure.

In January 1998, Turkey's Constitution Court ordered the closure of Prosperity Party, as well as the confiscation of all party properties and election ban for Necmettin Erbakan for five years. (AS)