Chaotic scenes during the trial of Turkey's 'deep state', Andrew Legon

Andrew Legon — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:21:32 +0000

Chaos erupted yesterday during a trial of 86 people who stand accused of planning to overthrow Turkey's government. A panel of judges quickly adjourned proceedings after the court was overwhelmed by sympathizers who sought to disrupt the trial. The trial later resumed with only the jailed suspects and their lawyers.

The defendants, including former army officers, a best-selling author and an ultra-nationalist lawyer, are accused of conspiring to destabilize Turkey with attacks ahead of a planned coup in 2009. The 2,455-page indictment holds the group responsible for a number of violent attacks including the 2006 assault on Turkey's administrative court that killed a judge. Some suspects face lesser charges, including possessing explosives, obtaining classified documents and provoking military disobedience. Keep up to date with the latest developments and sharpest perspectives in a world of strife and struggle.

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Most of the arrests occurred after a police raid on the home of a retired noncommissioned officer in Istanbul last year.

The toD verdict: The trial exposes widening divisions in Turkey between the country's moderate Islamist ruling party and its stridently secular foes, backed by the military. Conflict between the two has been ongoing for several years, but eased in July when the Constitutional Court decided against disbanding the ruling AK party, which was accused of steering the country away from its constitutional secularism. Tensions are likely to be revived by this trial, and with rival demonstrators gathering outside the courthouse, the potential for violence and political instability is high.

According to the government however, this trial is a historic opportunity to ensure Turkey's long-term political development. It has framed the trial as a chance to rein in a shadowy renegade network with links to the military, commonly known as the "deep state". Human rights campaigners agree, welcoming the trial as an opportunity to strengthen the country's democracy. Turkey has suffered four coups since the country was established. Glimpses of state involvement with the criminal underworld have been exposed in the past. In 1996, a former police chief and a mob boss who were sworn enemies in public died together when their Mercedes crashed on a highway.

Nevertheless, the success and legitimacy of the trial may be undermined by accusations of political interference. Critics accuse the government of turning the trial into a witchhunt targeting secularist opponents. One defendant spoke out against the charges, calling the trial a politically-inspired charade. "An imaginary group has been invented," Muzaffer Tekin, a retired army captain, told the judges. "I see this as a political plot."

Trade route opens across divided Kashmir

A trade route opened on Tuesday across the de facto border dividing the Indian and Pakistani halves of the disputed state of Kashmir. Sixteen Indian trucks crossed the border on Tuesday morning. Fourteen Pakistani trucks are expected to make the reverse journey this afternoon. Although limited to 21 approved items and to only two days a week, the reopening of a trade route after sixty years is a historic development. The trade link follows other confidence-building measures which have been introduced in Kashmir in recent years, including the opening of rail and bus links. Relations between India and Pakistan have thawed in recent years, but they remain fragile. It is hoped this latest move will bolster the four-year-old peace agreement, which has recently come under strain. Violence broke out across the Line of Control earlier this year as India accused Pakistan once more of allowing militants to sneak across the border.

Suicide bomber strikes German convoy

A suicide bomber struck a convoy of NATO troops in Kunduz in northern Afghanistan, killing at least two soldiers and five children. Isaf has refused to name the nationality of the troops until it can notify their home country. The governor of Kunduz province, Mohammad Omar, said the Isaf soldiers killed were German. Germany has about 3,000 soldiers in northern Afghanistan. Attacks have been rare in the relatively peaceful north. However, violence has surged this year, with the Taliban expanding the landscape of their activities. Even Kabul has witnessed increasing insecurity. Earlier yesterday, a female foreign aid worker was shot dead in the capital.

Pakistani legislators shrink from "Pakistan's War"

Pakistani politicians are deeply divided over how to tackle the rising tide of Al Qaeda and Taliban militancy. A parliamentary session designed to forge a national policy to tackle Pakistan's extremists was dominated by calls for dialogue with the Taliban. In an interview last week, Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-N asked, "What is wrong with talking?" Others condemned a war foisted on Pakistan by the United States.

The Pakistani military is currently waging a large offensive against militants in the regions bordering Afghanistan. Suicide attacks have spread across the country, culminating in the devastating bombing of the Islamabad Marriott hotel last month. Despite the situation, the debate has revealed the difficult situation facing Mr. Zardari as he tries to focus Pakistan's full attention on the threat. The tone of debate during the session suggests the governing Pakistan Peoples Party may be unable to produce an "appropriate resolution," said Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali, a senior member of the party and a former foreign minister.

Palestinian olive harvesters attacked

Palestinians harvesting their olives in the occupied territories have been violently attacked by Israeli settlers. Millions of olive trees across the West Bank constitute an important sector of the Palestinian economy, providing a livelihood to many Palestinians. Radical elements among Israeli settlers have a long history of interfering with the Palestinian olive harvest. With over 20 reported clashes so far, this year's harvest was one of the most violent in recent memory. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has condemned the violence as a "dangerous escalation" and criticised Israel for failing to stop the attacks. These recent tensions come against a backdrop rising violence between Palestinians and settlers in the West Bank this year.

Japan extends "war on terror" mission

Japan's lower house of parliament voted on Monday to extend a naval mission in the Indian Ocean. The controversial military operation, due to expire in January, provides fuel and logistical support in the Indian Ocean to coalition forces in Afghanistan. The bill, which extends the operation for one more year, will likely be rejected in the opposition-controlled upper house. The more powerful lower house can override the rejection however. Last November the mission was temporarily halted under similar circumstances. The mission is a highly emotive topic in Japan, with many people claiming it breaches the country's pacifist constitution.

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Chaotic scenes during the trial of Turkey's 'deep state', Andrew Legon