The Special Authority Istanbul Public Chief Prosecution decreed for a lack of jurisdiction related to the "Coup Diaries" investigation about three former forces commanders, namely former Naval Forces Commander retired Admiral Özden Örnek, former Air Force Commander retired General İbrahim Fırtına and former Land Forces Commander retired General Aytaç Yalman.
The file was forwarded to the Ankara Public Chief Prosecution. It was stated in the decision that the investigation was not linked to the "Ergenekon" investigation launched in 2007 concerned with the clandestine ultra-nationalist Ergenekon organization charged with overthrowing the government.
Görmüş: I am not disappointed
The Coup Diaries were initially brought to the headlines by the Nokta magazine in March 2007, which was raided by the police afterwards. The former general publications director of the Nokta magazine, Alper Görmüş, said he was not disappointed by the decision.
As reported by the Taraf newspaper, Görmüş commented the decision, "It is clear that the people who wrote the Coup Diaries share the same ideas as the people behind Ergenekon. But I cannot say that the main actors are actually together in this. The decision did not disappoint me".
The four-page decision for lack of jurisdiction claims that the investigation about the former Forces Commanders could not reveal a link to the Ergenekon organization. However, the suspicion occurred that they were part of the coup plans which were allegedly prepared by the suspects who are tried under allegations of being members and executives of the organization.
Prosecution at Constitutional Court possible
The decision also mentioned the statement given in the course of the investigation by General Hilmi Özkök, then Chief of General Staff. It was said that the coup attempts named "Seasparkle" and "Moonlight" could not be realised because Özkök was informed about the plans. Therefore, the "Blond Girl" coup plan was prepared.
Furthermore, the decision drew attention to the amendments of the structure of the Constitutional Court as it was approved in the referendum on 12 September this year. It was explained that Force Commanders on trial related to their duties shall be tried at the Constitutional Court. This decision was left to the Ankara Special Authority Public Prosecutor.
At the same time it turned out that ret. General Yalman's expenditures from the secret fund of his time as Gendarmerie General Command from 2001 and 2003 were investigated as well. Yalman is alleged to have purchased technical surveillance devices for $ 984,000 from abroad. The Ankara court was requested to decide whether the retired general constituted the crime of smuggling. (EÖ/VK)
