Member of National Intelligence Agency Arrested

Kaşif Kozinoğlu, member of the National Intelligence Agency (MIT), was arrested on Friday (11 March). An arrest warrant was released about Kozinoğlu in the scope of the Ergenekon probe related to the clandestine organization charged with various crimes with the final aim to topple the government in a military coup.

His home had been raided in the course of an extensive raid directed at the Oda TV news portal about two weeks ago. The arrest warrant could not be applied before because he was in Afghanistan due to his duty at MIT.

His statement was taken at the Istanbul Courthouse by Public Prosecutor Zekeriy Öz who is in charge of the Ergenekon investigation. Kozinoğlu was then taken to the Istanbul 14^th High Criminal Court on Duty.

Incarcerated in Metris prison

Kozioğlu was arrested under allegations of "membership of an illegal organization" and "obtaining classified documents". He was brought to the Metris Prison in Istanbul.

Kozinoğlu was accompanied by MIT officers when he entered the courthouse through the entrance for judges and prosecutors in order to avoid the questions of the journalists.

Accused of leaking documents

In the course of the search of the Oda TV news site office, a file was found in journalist Soner Yalçın's office entitled "Koz". It comprised information and documents related to the MIT and intelligence notes on members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). It was said that this information had been leaked by MIT member Kozinoğlu.

Kaşif Kozinoğlu, former holder of the maroon beret, is currently on duty as Head of the Asia Countries Office within the MIT Directory of Foreign operations. In 1986, he trained Police Special Operation teams during his time at the Special Warfare Department of the Turkish Armed Forces. He retired in the rank of a major and started to work for the MIT. (EG/EÖ/VK)