Baykal: "The Ergenekon indictment is baseless"

Again criticizing the controversial Ergenekon case yesterday, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal dismissed the indictment as "nonsense." "The law is led by concrete evidence," he said. "If you are swayed by fairy tales, then you've left behind the seriousness of the law." He was referring to the indictment's claim that the alleged Ergenekon crime network is related to a legendary clandestine group dating back more than 600 years. Baykal maintained that the investigation and indictment had largely lost their bearings. Citing the indictment's claim that Ergenekon was behind the deadly 2006 attack on the Council of State, which left one judge dead, Baykal said, "The link between Ergenekon and the Council of State attack should be laid out clearly on the basis of sound evidence." Touching on the case seeking the closure of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Baykal said whatever verdict the Constitutional Court hands down, its reasoning should be made public at the same time. He also called on CHP officials to be ready for possible early elections. DATE.17-07-08