Major who notified intel agency about coup attempt suspended
ANKARA
The major who notified the Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency (MİT) early on July 15 about the failed coup attempt has been suspended from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). The pilot major, identified as H.A., notified the intelligence agency at 2:45 p.m., after which MİT chief Hakan Fidan called Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar on the major’s notice. “The July 15 failed coup attempt was learned from Maj. H.A., who personally went to the MİT and notified them on the issue,” daily Hürriyet columnist Abdulkadir Selvi wrote on Aug. 5, adding that the major was suspended with regards to the state of emergency decree issued after the failed takeover, believed to be orchestrated by the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).
“Maj. H.A., who contributed to the failure of the FETÖ coup via notifying the MİT, was suspended from the TSK with a surprise decision. It was revealed that the pilot major knew about the coup process beforehand and was on the list of names prepared by the FETÖ members that plotted the coup,” he also wrote.
Security measures were taken to ensure H.A.’s safety, according to Selvi.
H.A., who was working in the Army Aviation Command, was reportedly among the names who had contacts with the MİT due to his involvement in special forces operations and developments in Syria.
He reportedly requested permission from the Army Aviation Command to go home and change his clothes and went to the MİT headquarters in the Yenimahalle district of Ankara after he was informed of his task regarding the coup attempt.
He told the MİT on July 15 that he was assigned by the coup plotters to abduct Fidan during the takeover attempt.
“The MİT will be raided tonight. Seven helicopters were assigned for it. I was tasked to abduct Hakan Fidan after the MİT was raided,” H.A. reportedly told the intelligence agency, after which he was taken to a “safe place” for protection.
Fidan called Akar at 4 p.m. on July 15 to inform him about H.A.’s notice and sent his deputy to the general staff at 4:30 p.m. Fidan went to the general staff headquarters at 6 p.m. and held a meeting with Akar and other commanders in order to prevent to coup from being carried out.
The coup plotters initiated their attempt earlier than scheduled, at around 9 p.m. on July 15 instead of 3 a.m. on July 16, reportedly upon the exposure of their plan.
