Judicial watchdog suspends 4 prosecutors linked to Gülen Movement
The country’s top judicial watchdog HSYK yesterday decided to suspend four prosecutors linked to the Gülen Movement for conduct unbecoming and various other crimes, seen as the first stage of a legal process that may result in their dismissal from the profession
Four prosecutors allegedly affiliated with the Gülen Movement, including Zekeriya Öz, have been suspended from duty by the 2nd Chamber of the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) on Tuesday. The 2nd Chamber of the HSYK said that the prosecutors were suspended due to the fact that their actions may "damage the influence and reputation" of the judiciary. It was reported that the prosecutors were suspended until the inquiry they are facing is finalized, based on a request by the 2nd Chamber of the HSYK, which claimed that the prosecutors have failed to conduct investigations in an impartial manner in accordance with the Turkish Code of Criminal Procedures. Mehmet Yılmaz, the president of the 2nd Chamber of the HSYK said they investigated the matter and concluded that the suspension of prosecutors was necessary as a precautionary measure. The prosecutors will face dismissal if they are convicted. It is alleged that prosecutors affiliated with the Gülen Movement manipulated the Ergenekon coup attempt case, of which Zekeriya Öz was one of the leading prosecutors. Others who received suspension on Tuesday include Prosecutors Celal Kara, Muammer Akkaş and Mehmet Yüzgeç. The HSYK report said that Zekeriya Öz threatened police officers on Dec. 18, a day after he imitated the operation that is perceived as a major part of the Gülen Movement's alleged attempt to overthrow the elected government. It was also claimed that Öz also tried influencing some of the staff of the Fatih Municipality. The report added that he was involved in a scandal for taking an extravagant vacation to Dubai that was financially supported by businessman Ali Ağaoğlu. He is accused of receiving $20,259 for a luxurious vacation. Öz also faced a lawsuit for insulting and threatening then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on social media, but he did not appear at the hearing.As for Kara, the report said that he failed to provide the right of defense to those who were detained as part of the Dec. 17 operation. It also mentions that the 3,419-page summary proceeding was not examined.The HSYK investigators' report stresses that Akkaş carried out numerous irregularities that led to the detention of many people. Suspects were detained while no evidence was found in 22 files in which Akkaş gave detention requests without examining bags of sealed documents. Akkaş is accused of preparing a quickly written indictment before conducting an examination based on evidence. Other than wiretapped recordings, the authenticity of which has not been confirmed, Akkaş was not able to provide solid evidence. The report also says no documents or files were found on the transactions and tenders that were related to an alleged corruption. Yüzgeç, who brought three different investigations together to run a single operation, is accused of conducting various irregularities in the Dec. 17 coup attempt. The report also says without any solid evidence, Yüzgeç detained and froze assets of suspects. It also said he conducted searches and detentions without informing Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Turan Çolakkadı. Members of the Gülen Movement allegedly infiltrated the police and judiciary with the aim of toppling the government and the government hopes to clear these institutions of what they call "traitors" through lawful and democratic means.The Gülen Movement, led by retired imam Fethullah Gülen, who now resides in self-imposed exile in the U.S., is seen as a national threat to the state by Ankara, as it is accused of wiretapping thousands of individuals, including high-level government officials and allegedly infiltrating state institutions to overthrow the government.
Last Update: December 31, 2014 18:25