Indictment shows how Gülenists infiltrated military, judiciary

ANKARA

Followers of the movement of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen infiltrated the military and the judiciary thanks to the Ergenekon and “Balyoz” (Sledgehammer) cases, according to an indictment that has been prepared against the group, which is accused of perpetrating the July 2016 coup attempt.

The indictment against 31 members of the military on charges of “attempting to eliminate the constitutional order” and “being members of an armed terrorist organization” have finally been prepared after the July 15, 2016, failed coup, which is blamed on the group, dubbed the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) by the government.

According to the indictment, the Gülenists’ infiltration of the military and the judiciary accelerated via the dismissals of soldiers who were not Gülenists through the Ergenekon and Balyoz cases, which were all later dropped.

Many of the judges and prosecutors that prosecuted the cases have since been probed due to charges of links to Gülen.

“Especially after 2010, they [FETÖ] aimed to empty the posts of a number of military judges in high-level positions by including their figures in investigations such as Ergenekon and Balyoz,” the indictment said, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Feb. 27, adding that with the sacking of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) personnel, the commanders were surrounded “with a spider web” on a number of issues. 

“The sacking of TSK personnel effective in all decisions of the Chief of the General Staff and force commanders ensured the commanders were surrounded with a spider web on many significant issues, such as assignments, promotions, giving orders for investigations, objecting to court orders and appealing against the court,” it also said. 

The indictment, which was prepared by Public Prosecutor Selda Binboğa Kurtuluş, said it was noteworthy that those assigned in place of those sacked in the Ergenekon and Balyoz cases have subsequently been dismissed or arrested for allegedly being Gülenists. 

Moreover, the indictment also said allegations that FETÖ intervened in the recruitment of military judges in 2009 should be investigated.  

The appointment of military judges was given the highest priority by FETÖ and that the group accepted the members of the military judiciary as “the highest rank in the confidential services class,” according to the indictment. Furthermore, law students who were earmarked by Gülenists to become military judges were denied all public duties and chose to become military judges. 

The indictment said FETÖ members attempted to change the commanders’ decisions in a way that would benefit the Gülenists. 

“FETÖ prepared a ground for the coup by appointing Gülenists to significant posts,” it also said. 

The indictment was sent to the Ankara 16th Court of Serious Crimes.