Reactions to Latest Ergenekon Operation

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) vice-chair Onur Öymen criticized the latest police operation related to the Ergenekon investigation, saying, "We arrived at this point following the PM's declaration that he's the prosecutor of this investigation. The government must take its hands off the judiciary." 

Association to Support Contemporary Life (ÇYDD) director Türkan Saylan, whose house was searched by the police this morning, said, "Those who use their democratic rights are punished."

CHP vice-chair Mustafa Özyürek also expressed his protest against the "anti-democratic move."

On the other hand, journalist Şamil Tayyar, author of a recently published book on Ergenekon, reacted to Özyürek's statement. "I regard this operation as an attempt to fulfill the gaps left in the second indictment of the case. If we believe in the rule of law, it's necessary that we wait calmly for the judiciary to take its course. A court order can't be regarded as despotism."   

Yet, Bilgi University staff Burhan Şenatalar thinks that the investigation is "violating the universal principles of law." "Saylan could not be regarded as a part of a conspiracy against the government. This is a shame on the Turkish republic. I believe there's a political motive behind this incentive. Now the circle is so wide, it's unlawful."(EÖ/AGÜ)