Top FETÖ figure accused of conspiring 2002 author’s murder in Turkey

An investigation into the 2002 homicide of Necip Hablemitoğlu, a distinguished author and tutorial, turns the highlight onto the Gülenist Terrorist Group (FETÖ). Proof factors to Mustafa Özcan, seen as “No. 2” within the terrorist group, orchestrated the homicide plot by way of its subordinates and coordinated it with a former member of the Nationwide Intelligence Group (MIT) who was jailed final 12 months for his ties to the group.

Hablemitoğlu, a historian at Ankara College, was additionally recognized for his e-book and analysis on a number of points, together with Germany-linked foundations energetic in Turkey. He was shot lifeless exterior his house within the capital Ankara on Dec. 18, 2002. Hablemitoğlu was engaged on “Köstebek” (“Insider”) earlier than his assassination. The e-book, printed posthumously, is considered as the primary complete nonfiction e-book on the terrorist group’s secret construction and its makes an attempt to infiltrate the state. Media shops have lengthy reported suspicions over FETÖ’s position within the homicide however the first correct investigation into the allegations was launched in 2016, the 12 months the terrorist group tried to stage a lethal coup.

Chief Prosecutor Zafer Ergün, who’s presently dealing with the case, ordered the arrest of 5 folks, together with a former noncommissioned officer from the Turkish Armed Forces’ (TSK) elite Particular Forces Command, final week. Nevertheless, the suspects have denied the fees.

The investigation gained momentum after Nuri Gökhan Bozkır, a key suspect within the case, was delivered to Turkey from Ukraine by Turkish intelligence final month. Bozkır is ready to testify to prosecutors on Tuesday.

Safety sources say Mustafa Özcan is the prime suspect within the case together with Enver Altaylı, a former intelligence official convicted in a FETÖ-linked case final 12 months. Proof collected by the prosecutor’s workplace reveals Özcan tried to satisfy Hablemitoğlu in 2002, earlier than the latter’s demise and Altaylı was instrumental in organising a gathering, together with N.A., one other suspect within the case recognized solely together with his initials.

It’s unclear why Özcan tried to achieve out to Hablemitoğlu. The sufferer’s household had informed police after the homicide that Hablemitoğlu had obtained threatening cellphone calls and emails earlier than the homicide. Altaylı can also be named as a “intermediary” within the case of FETÖ’s try and recruit folks from the Particular Forces Command for an try and assassinate Hablemitoğlu.

A.Okay., who organized this try, and M.N., a former particular forces officer, are among the many names within the case and each face a journey ban after their detention final week, earlier than they had been launched with judiciary management measures.

In response to the investigators, I.B. and B.E., two suspects who had been in touch with Nuri Gökhan Bozkır, had been on the crime scene days earlier than the incident and allegedly carried out reconnaissance. I.B. and B.E. had been questioned by police when an eyewitness reported seeing them close to the scene however no authorized motion was taken in opposition to the 2 males. A brand new investigation reveals the suspects made cellphone calls to Nuri Gökhan Bozkır after police questioned them. Bozkır turned his cellphone off in the course of the day of the homicide and the next day and changed his SIM card with one other belonging to a particular forces officer following the homicide.