CHP lawmaker faces terror charges in espionage case
A prosecutor Wednesday asked for a sentence of lifetime imprisonment for Enis Berberoğlu, a lawmaker from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) on charges of helping a terrorist group in an espionage case. Berberoğlu is accused of supplying confidential information regarding the country's intelligence service to two journalists, Can Dündar and Erdem Gül, in the controversial "MİT trucks" case.
In 2014, troops in southern Turkey stopped trucks belonging to the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) in a raid that shocked the country. It was the first time the army intervened with another state-run agency. It was later revealed that the raid was actually a plot by the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) to embarrass the government, undertaken through its infiltrators in the army and judiciary.
Dündar and Gül published photos of the raid in 2015 and claimed Turkey supplied arms to Syria. The two men were released pending trial after they were accused of espionage and aiding FETÖ. Berberoğlu was implicated recently in the case, as he is allegedly the suspect who supplied the photos of the raid to Gül and Dündar.
The prosecutor said in his appeal to an Istanbul court that Berberoğlu helped the publication of confidential information in a newspaper and "thus, helped the cause of FETÖ."
"FETÖ sought to manipulate public opinion and the international community in a defamation campaign, in which Turkey is accused of supporting terrorism, and sought to topple the government. [The MİT trucks affair] is a political espionage case of that degree. Berberoğlu worked with Dündar and Gül and violated laws maintaining confidentiality of matters regarding state security," the prosecutor told the court.
The prosecutor also asked for up to 10 years in prison for Dündar and Gül on charges of membership of a terrorist group. The hearing was adjourned to March.
In 2014, troops in southern Turkey stopped trucks belonging to the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) in a raid that shocked the country. It was the first time the army intervened with another state-run agency. It was later revealed that the raid was actually a plot by the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) to embarrass the government, undertaken through its infiltrators in the army and judiciary.
Dündar and Gül published photos of the raid in 2015 and claimed Turkey supplied arms to Syria. The two men were released pending trial after they were accused of espionage and aiding FETÖ. Berberoğlu was implicated recently in the case, as he is allegedly the suspect who supplied the photos of the raid to Gül and Dündar.
The prosecutor said in his appeal to an Istanbul court that Berberoğlu helped the publication of confidential information in a newspaper and "thus, helped the cause of FETÖ."
"FETÖ sought to manipulate public opinion and the international community in a defamation campaign, in which Turkey is accused of supporting terrorism, and sought to topple the government. [The MİT trucks affair] is a political espionage case of that degree. Berberoğlu worked with Dündar and Gül and violated laws maintaining confidentiality of matters regarding state security," the prosecutor told the court.
The prosecutor also asked for up to 10 years in prison for Dündar and Gül on charges of membership of a terrorist group. The hearing was adjourned to March.