Arrests as Turkey vows to try plotters

TURKEY’S prime minister yesterday vowed to put everyone who conspired against the country’s democracy on trial as more military officers were arrested.

The number charged and jailed for allegedly plotting a 2003 coup against his Islamic-based government rose to 31.

The figure, which included seven admirals and four generals, represents the largest-ever crackdown on Turkey’s military, which has overthrown four civilian governments since 1960.

In a fresh nationwide sweep yesterday police detained 18 more officers, all but one of whom are still on active duty.

The officers were detained in 13 different cities and were being transferred to Istanbul.

The military has wielded strong influence on politics for decades but has seen its powers dramatically curtailed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.

“An impaired democracy is not the fate of this country,” Erdogan said yesterday. “No one is above the law, no one is untouchable, no one is privileged.”

The probe has fuelled tensions between the government and the fiercely secular military and shaken the markets, but Erdogan dismissed calls by opposition parties for early elections.

“Those conspiring behind closed doors to trample on the nation’s will from now on will find themselves facing justice.”

He added: “They should know that they won’t get away with it.”

Erdogan, President Abdullah Gul and military chief General Ilker Basbug held a rare meeting on Thursday, later issuing a joint statement seeking to ease tensions.

“The public must be assured matters will be handled in line with the law and everyone should act responsibly not to damage institutions,” they said.

The 11 most recently charged officers included two active-duty admirals and one retired general.

The court’s decision to jail them came after prosecutors released the former chiefs of the navy and air force and another top general without immediately charging them.

All suspects have reportedly denied the allegations, which include plotting to blow up mosques and kill non-Muslim figures to foment chaos and trigger a military takeover.

Phone-tap evidence and the discovery of alleged plans for a military coup prompted this week’s detentions.

Opposition leaders claim the coup probe is tainted by politics.