A former general who is believed to be the most senior officer involved in the July 15, 2016 coup by Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) operatives in the military repeatedly asked for his retirement benefits, according to reports.

Akın Öztürk, a former Air Forces commander, is accused of executing the bloody coup attempt from Akıncı Air Base near Ankara in accordance with orders he received from FETÖ members. He is also a former member of the Supreme Military Council (YSK) that decides on all promotions and retirements in the military.

He was arrested at the base the day after the coup attempt.

It appears about a month after the coup attempt, he applied to the Social Security Agency (SGK) to begin his retirement process and start receiving a pension. When he didn't get any response, he resubmitted his application three times in January 2017. When his lawyer asked what held the process back, SGK officials said there was a court order on his client.

The lawyer applied to a higher court to rescind the order, arguing that the pension was crucial for the livelihood of his client's family. The Ankara court has yet to deliberate on the case.