15 arrested, 14 released in Ergenekon probe

As part of the ongoing Ergenekon probe into an alleged secret network plotting to overthrow the government, nearly 40 people were detained last week in coordinated operations in six cities. Fifteen out of 29 of those who were then referred to a court, including former Special Forces Unit deputy head Ibrahim Sahin, were arrested by court order. Retired Gen. Tuncer Kilinc, a former National Security Council (MGK) secretary-general, was released by the court, along with retired generals Kemal Yavuz, Erdal Senel and Ilyas Cinar and nine other people. Some of them were barred by the court from leaving Turkey. Kemal Guruz, former head of the Board of Higher Education (YOK), was also released yesterday by the prosecutor without being sent to court. The questioning of three others, including Professor Yalcin Kucuk, had not been completed as of Sunday. In light of information and documents reportedly found in a search of Sahin's house, police found rocket-launchers, grenades and ammunition buried in a field in Golbasi, Ankara. The recent wave of detentions also reportedly exposed plots for assassinations meant to destabilize Turkey.