Probe launched into death of intelligence operative

An Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the death of Kaşif Kozinoğlu, a former intelligence operative who died on Nov. 12, while under arrest for his alleged involvement in the ODA TV case.

Chief Prosecutor Güngör Karakoç received testimony from retired gendarmerie Col. Hasan Atilla Uğur and retired Navy Lt. Hasan Ataman Yıldırım, both of whom are being held in Istanbul’s Silivri Prison for their alleged links to the alleged Ergenekon coup plot.

Uğur and Yıldırım were being held in the same ward as Kozinoğlu.

Turkish Ministry of Helth also made an announcement on Kozinoğlu’s death , saying that a doctor was on duty in Silivri prison at the time of Kozninoğlu’s death, however, no information was given to him regarding the heart attack.

Kozinoğlu, a former member of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), fell ill while in prison and died of a heart attack. Doctors attempted to revive him, but were unsuccessful.

Arrested as part of the Oda TV case, which concerns a website known for its fierce criticism of government policies, Kozinoğlu was to appear before a judge at the case’s first hearing Nov. 22.

 He was charged with being a member of a terror organization and leaking the state’s confidential documents.

The Ergenekon group is an alleged ultranationalist, shadowy gang accused of planning to topple the government by staging a coup, initially by spreading chaos and mayhem throughout society.