Turkish tensions: Islamist government cracking down on secularists
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 Free Headline Alerts
ANKARA — The government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan has launched a crackdown on secular opponents which includes, ultimately, the powerful military.
The Interior Ministry has directed a police campaign against a secularist movement opposed to the ruling pro-Islamic Justice and Development Party.
On Tuesday, Turkish police raided homes in Ankara and Istanbul and arrested 24 members of the Association for Ataturkist Thought. The association, founded in 1989, has been headed by a retired Turkish general and sworn to uphold the secular state.
"We see this organization as a danger to democracy," a Turkish government source said.
The Turkish Armed Forces is aware that it is facing an organized attack by certain circles," Turkish Chief of Staff Gen. Yassar Buyukanit said. "Such attacks are destined to fail. Undoubtedly, the TSK will take measures to defend itself."
Police arrested at least two retired generals, Sener Eruygur, the former commander of the Gendarmarie, and Hursit Tolon, the former commander of the First Army. The association has been deemed a leading opponent of Erdogan and helped organize massive anti-government secular protests in 2007.
"I think this was a step toward completion of the indictment," Erdogan said. "It's a step taken upon a decision by prosecutors."
Turkish sources said the detainees were believed to be linked to a Turkish nationalist underground group, Ergenekon. In January 2008, police arrested the alleged founder of Ergenekon, retired Gen. Veli Kucuk.
Erdogan supporters charge that Ergenekon has been plotting to overthrow the government in cooperation with elements in the military. The supporters said Ergenekon has staged attacks in the name of Islamic insurgents in an attempt to spark a secular backlash in Turkey.
The sources said the Interior Ministry has deemed Ergenekon a leading threat in Turkey. They said the ministry crackdown was linked to deliberations by the Constitutional Court to ban Erdogan's Justice and Development Party, known by its Turkish acronym, AKP, on grounds that it threatens Turkish secularism. A court decision was expected by the end of August 2008.
"The AKP wants to establish a Sharia order, and there is an open and imminent threat on this issue," Turkish chief prosecutor Abdul Rahman Yalcinkaya said.