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Former Turkish army chief arrested for anti-gov't plot

By Agencies
Updated Saturday, 07 January 2012 10:01:33 - IST (UTC +5:30)

ANKARA, Jan. 6 - Former Turkish army chief of staff General Ilker Basbug was arrested early Friday as part of an investigation into an anti-government plot.
The arrest came after the Istanbul public prosecutor on Thursday demanded to arrest Basbug on charges of leading a terrorist organization and attempting to overthrow the Turkish government, state media reported.
Basbug has testified earlier as a suspect at an Istanbul court, and a public prosecutor with special authority, Cihan Kansiz, has took his testimony for an investigation launched by the Istanbul deputy chief prosecutor's office.
It is the first time in Turkey's history that a former army chief of staff testifies before a public prosecutor.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Friday that "we are witnessing a trial process taking place within the legal system. Everyone has responsibilities in the legal system. So, everyone is equal before the law."
Basbug, who retired in 2010, is the highest-ranking officer arrested for a probe into the so-called Ergenekon network, an alleged clandestine organization within the state structure accused of plotting to overthrow the government.
Several hundred defendants, including retired senior officers, lawyers, academics and journalists, have been put on trial in cases relating to the investigation.
Turkey's military, which has long seen itself as the guarantor of the country's secular constitution, has carried out three coups between 1960 and 1980, and pressured another government from power in 1997. (Xinhua)

Tags: Agencies Turkey, Army, arrested, Chief,

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