Gülenists helped PKK kill soldiers, official claims
Professor Ahmet Arif Ergin, head of the state-run Scientific and Technological Research Council (TÜBİTAK), claimed that Gülenists indirectly helped the PKK by blocking a critical security project.
Ergin was appointed to TÜBİTAK, the leading scientific institution involved in developing defense and other projects after a purge of supporters of the Gülenist Terror Organization (FETÖ) in 2013. TÜBİTAK was among the main targets Gülenist infiltration. The government accuses FETÖ of perpetrating the July 15 coup attempt.
TÜBİTAK was developing an early warning system for military outposts in remote areas under threat of PKK attacks when Gülenists in the institution scrapped the project, leaving the outposts vulnerable to attacks that have killed hundreds.
Gülenists who infiltrated TÜBİTAK as bureaucrats, technicians and experts benefited from the organization's vast resources, enabling them to forge expert witness reports in sham trials to imprison critics of FETÖ leader Fethullah Gülen, as well as wiretapping encrypted telephones used by the country's leaders.
Ergin, who investigated the extent of Gülenist influence in the institution after he replaced a predecessor linked to the Gülen Movement, claimed the 2011 cancellation of the outpost project is a clear indication of cooperation between FETÖ and the PKK.
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) started developing the project in the early 2000s with the aid from TÜBİTAK to reinforce military outposts, especially those in border areas vulnerable to attacks. A TÜBİTAK team developed an early warning system enabling troops at outposts to detect any approaching people, animals or moving objects. The system was installed at three outposts at first in 2011 and succeeded in precise detection of movement and detecting friendly and hostile elements approaching the outposts, minimizing the risk of friendly fire. Nevertheless, Gülenist infiltrators who managed to gain a further foothold in the institution in 2011, allegedly thwarted further development of the project. Despite appeals from the TSK, TÜBİTAK did not respond to requests to advance the project and its full implementation at all outposts. Then, the team developing the project was replaced with a new one close to Gülenists.
Ergin claimed the FETÖ holds "responsibility" for the deaths of hundreds of soldiers who were killed in PKK raids on the outposts since 2011. He added that the wrongdoings of FETÖ members dismissed from TÜBİTAK are now under investigation by authorities.
Following the July 15 coup attempt, 167 staff members from TÜBİTAK were dismissed. They were part of a purge by authorities to weed out Gülenists and their sympathizers from state institutions.
Ergin was appointed to TÜBİTAK, the leading scientific institution involved in developing defense and other projects after a purge of supporters of the Gülenist Terror Organization (FETÖ) in 2013. TÜBİTAK was among the main targets Gülenist infiltration. The government accuses FETÖ of perpetrating the July 15 coup attempt.
TÜBİTAK was developing an early warning system for military outposts in remote areas under threat of PKK attacks when Gülenists in the institution scrapped the project, leaving the outposts vulnerable to attacks that have killed hundreds.
Gülenists who infiltrated TÜBİTAK as bureaucrats, technicians and experts benefited from the organization's vast resources, enabling them to forge expert witness reports in sham trials to imprison critics of FETÖ leader Fethullah Gülen, as well as wiretapping encrypted telephones used by the country's leaders.
Ergin, who investigated the extent of Gülenist influence in the institution after he replaced a predecessor linked to the Gülen Movement, claimed the 2011 cancellation of the outpost project is a clear indication of cooperation between FETÖ and the PKK.
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) started developing the project in the early 2000s with the aid from TÜBİTAK to reinforce military outposts, especially those in border areas vulnerable to attacks. A TÜBİTAK team developed an early warning system enabling troops at outposts to detect any approaching people, animals or moving objects. The system was installed at three outposts at first in 2011 and succeeded in precise detection of movement and detecting friendly and hostile elements approaching the outposts, minimizing the risk of friendly fire. Nevertheless, Gülenist infiltrators who managed to gain a further foothold in the institution in 2011, allegedly thwarted further development of the project. Despite appeals from the TSK, TÜBİTAK did not respond to requests to advance the project and its full implementation at all outposts. Then, the team developing the project was replaced with a new one close to Gülenists.
Ergin claimed the FETÖ holds "responsibility" for the deaths of hundreds of soldiers who were killed in PKK raids on the outposts since 2011. He added that the wrongdoings of FETÖ members dismissed from TÜBİTAK are now under investigation by authorities.
Following the July 15 coup attempt, 167 staff members from TÜBİTAK were dismissed. They were part of a purge by authorities to weed out Gülenists and their sympathizers from state institutions.
Last Update: August 08, 2016 20:34