Former top general to bear testimony Jan. 5

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

Former General Chief of Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ is required to testify as a case suspect in the Istanbul courthouse in Beşiktaş on Jan. 5. Hürriyet photo

An Istanbul prosecutor’s office yesterday sent a written notice to former General Chief of Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ, calling him to testify on Jan. 5 as part of the Internet Memorandum probe.

 The former top general is required to testify as a case suspect in the Istanbul courthouse in Beşiktaş.
Other suspects in the Internet Memorandum case have said a number of websites that are being investigated as part of the probe were done so with Başbuğ’s knowledge. On Dec. 30, 2011, an Istanbul court filed a criminal complaint against Başbuğ, whose name was mentioned in the suspects’ pleas and other documents, and ruled that a written notice be sent to the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office for the relevant procedures to be initiated.

Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Cihan Kansız then launched an investigation into allegations regarding Başbuğ in accordance with the court’s demand.

The ongoing case refers to an alleged document from the General Staff that ordered the establishment of 42 Internet sites to distribute propaganda against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), as well as Greeks and Armenians.