Former General Testifies About Coup Plans

Former chief of General Staff, Hilmi Özkök testifies before the prosecutors of the Ergenekon case, where more than 80 people are on trial for conspiring against the government.

Özkök later declined to comment on his statement to prosecutors Zekeriya Öz and Fikret Seçen. "I told them all I know," he said to journalists.

According to Tolga Şardan's report in Milliyet daily, prosecutor Öz made an appointment with Özkök in his hometown İzmir. Öz tried to disguise his trip to İzmir by first stopping in Bursa, visiting his family. 

Özkök and two prosecutors met in a room at the İzmir courthouse. The meeting lasted for eight hours. According to reports, focus of the meeting was alleged organization for a coup within the armed forces during Özkök's term in office.

In a diary, allegedly belonging to Cumhuriyet columnist Mustafa Balbay -who is currently under arrest for his involvement in Ergenekon- several high-ranking commanders were talking against Özkök and the government.

Previously, Özkök had said that, "he doesn't expect such comments and insults from colleagues." When asked, he said he would talk to the prosecutors if such a demand arises. "Of course I would consult with my lawyers but one can not decline a request from court."

On another account, Özkök implicitly accepted that there he knew that there were plans for a coup. "I wouldn't say no, nor yes," he said when such plans surfaced in a diary allegedly belonging to former Navy commander, admiral Özden Örnek.(BÇ/AGÜ)