Two fugitive admirals caught in Istanbul over coup attempt

Istanbul police conducted an operation on the location of rear admirals Nazmi Ekici of the Marmaris Aksaz Naval Base and Hayrettin İmren of the Gölcük Naval Base in the Tuzla district at around 8:30 p.m. after learning that the daughter of a military officer rented the house for the admirals. The military officer was later detained as well.

Ekici and İmren were detained in the operation while another fugitive admiral at the house escaped. Police also conducted an operation to apprehend the fleeing admiral, taking security measures around the residence.

According to the report, the two admirals had been preparing to escape to Greece.

The admirals were transferred to the police headquarters in the northwestern province of Kocaeli for interrogation after a health check.

The report said İmren took over the command at the Gölcük Naval Base on the night of the failed coup attempt on July 15, vowing to arrest anyone who tried to foil the plot, including the commander. However, İmren and Ekici escaped on a Coastguard boat after soldiers at the base refused to obey orders. The two later fled in a vehicle from a pier in İzmit.

The admirals had also grown mustaches and beards to disguise themselves.