ERGENEKON INVESTIGATION

Alleged "Gang" Weapons Unearthed in Foundation Property

Excavations in Istanbul have led to the find of a weapons cache. Six soldiers, two of them retired, have been detained.

Erol Önderoğlu

Alleged "Gang" Weapons Unearthed in Foundation Property

Following a tip-off, allegedly by e-mail, the Istanbul Anti-Terrorism Branch started excavations on land in Poyrazköy, in the Istanbul district of Beykoz, on 22 April.

The land belongs to the İstek educational foundation, owned by former Istanbul mayor Bedrettin Dalan.

Branches of the İstek schools around Istanbul had previously been searched before as part of the Ergenekon investigation.

Grenades, missile launchers, ammunition...

The first day of excavations had revealed a cache of weapons.

10 shoulder held missile launchers
10 hand grenades
10 hand grenade fuses
20 smoke bombs
250 grams C4 plastic explosives
19 illumination flares
3 demonstration bombs
800 bullets of different sizes

The weapons were found 1.5 metres under ground.

Excavations have continued for the last two days and are said to be continuing today.

Three prosecutors were present at the site yesterday (23 April).

Six detentions

Following the excavations of the first day, six people had been taken into custody. They are all soldiers, two of them retired, and four on active duty. The active soldiers are being questioned at the Beşiktaş Head Quarters, while the others are being held at the Police Head Quarters.

According to the Sabah newspaper, retired Major Levent Bektaş, active Lieutenant Colonels Mustafa Türkan Ecevit and Ercan Kireçtepe and Major Emre Onan are among those in custody.

Foundation denies use of land

The İstek Educational Foundation has issued a statement in which it says that the land has not been used by the foundation since its purchase and was still being used as a training ground for the naval forces. (EÖ/AG)

Origin

BIA News Center

weapons cache Ergenekon investigation istek foundation

Erol Önderoğlu

[email protected]

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A graduate of the French Language and Literature Department at İstanbul University. He has served as the Turkey representative for the international organization Reporters Without...

A graduate of the French Language and Literature Department at İstanbul University. He has served as the Turkey representative for the international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), where he began as a reporter in 1996. Since 1999, he has worked at bianet, a project of the IPS Communication Foundation, as the coordinator of the Legal Support Desk, editor for freedom of expression, and editor-in-chief. He has authored more than 4,800 signed news articles and opinion pieces. He has also written for Bizim Gazete and the journal Güncel Hukuk. He currently prepares the Media Monitoring Reports at bianet.