Independent judiciary will clarify alleged anti-AKP plot: Turkish PM

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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Following the non-jurisdiction decision of the Military Prosecutor's Office, Erdogan told the third general congress of the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, Istanbul branch that the legal process regarding the alleged document would be carried out by civilian prosecutors. 

His remarks came a day after Turkish army chief Gen. Ilker Basbug said the alleged military drafted anti-government plan published in a national daily is part of a smear campaign against the army.

Basbug has urged civilian prosecutors to find out who is behind the document. He has also slammed criticism directed at a military investigation that concluded the alleged document was a forgery, not prepared at the General Staff headquarters.

Erdogan, whose government has petitioned a civilian court to take legal action in the case, said Saturday efforts to create a crisis of confidence between state organs would not only harm relevant parties but entire Turkey instead.

He said all state organs had full confidence in each other and were loyal to the constitutional regime and democracy.

"Republic of Turkey is capable of investigating and clarifying all sorts of allegations. It has reached a level of maturity to solve all sorts of problems," Erdogan was quoted by the state-run Anatolian Agency as saying.

"Just as how plots against democracy are outdated and unlawful; touting about military coups and trying to take the politics under influence by spreading rumors about military coups is equally outdated and unlawful," he added.

Erdogan said Turkey did not have the luxury of wasting time over scenarios like these and asked the opposition and the media to act with common sense.

The alleged military plan published in daily Taraf earlier this month has increased tension between the government and the military and has changed the entire country’s political landscape.

The document was aimed particularly at the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, and the Gulen movement, which are accused of trying to undermine Turkey’s secular order and establish an Islamic state. 

The issue is to be investigated by a civilian court after the military probe concluded the document is a forgery.