Assassination plot against Fethullah Gülen

M. Fethullah Gulen
M. Fethullah Gulen


Date posted: March 22, 2012

22 March 2012 / TODAY’S ZAMAN, İSTANBUL

Former Chief of General Staff retired Gen. Hilmi Özkök was the target of a planned assassination by pro-coup generals within the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in 2004, which was prevented when US officials in Baghdad discovered the plan and notified Turkish authorities about it, according to a recently published book.

The book, “Pirus — Devşirme Orduların Son Savaşı” (Pyrrhic — Last War of Devşirme Armies), is co-authored by journalists Mehmet Baransu and Tuncay Opçin.

According to the book, pro-coup generals at the time, who failed to get the support of Özkök to stage a coup, collaborated with the terrorist Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) organization to ensure the killing of Özkök so that they could stage a military takeover.

After killing Özkök, then Land Forces Commander Gen. Aytaç Yalman, a pro-coup general, would succeed Özkök, and Yalman would be succeeded by then Gendarmerie Commander Gen. Şener Eruygur, both of whom would facilitate a coup.

However, US officials in Baghdad notified Turkish authorities about the assassination plot against Özkök, foiling the plans.

The journal entries of journalist Mustafa Balbay, who used to keep notes of his meetings with pro-coup generals, also confirm assassination plans against Özkök.

Cumhuriyet daily Ankara representative Balbay was detained on March 7, 2009, as part of the investigation into Ergenekon, a shadowy crime network with alleged links within the state and suspected of plotting to topple the government. Documents found on his computer include a detailed coup journal kept by him in which he took notes on his past meetings with army generals. Balbay is now jailed pending trial in the Ergenekon case.

According to reports, the routes used by Özkök in his daily activities were changed and security measures were greatly intensified after the emergence of assassination plots against the general. Özkök also began to bring food from home reportedly out of fear of poisoning from the food at the military headquarters.

Assassination plot against Gülen

According to the book, the Turkish Revenge Brigade planned an assassination against Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen during the days surrounding the Feb. 28, 1997 military coup, when Gülen was closely followed by the West Study Group (BÇG), which was established by the TSK to carry on the fight against reactionaryism and kept records of the ideological and religious background of academics and universities during the Feb. 28 process.

Two would-be hitmen, who were to assassinate Gülen, were detained before they carried out their plans as part of a probe into an assassination attempt against then Human Rights Association (İHD) President Akın Birdal in 1998.

Source: Today’s Zaman http://www.todayszaman.com/news-275046-pro-coup-generals-plotted-to-assassinate-ex-army-chief-ozkok-book-reveals.html


Related News

Children from across the globe meet in Germany for peace

The talents of 360 students from 46 schools were on display for the crowd of 10,000 gathered at Westfallenahlle complex. The opening ceremony featured figurines symbolizing prominent capitals across the globe including Brussels, Paris and Berlin.

A rising profile for Turkish Cultural Center Vermont

The Turkish Cultural Center Vermont, a nonprofit organization, offers Turkish language classes and serves as a platform for promoting both Turkish culture and cross-cultural understanding. As a focal point for one of the many ethnic and linguistic groups that have found their way to Vermont, it has achieved noteworthy visibility.

Current defamation campaign against Hizmet was part of Ergenekon scheme

A major campaign launched by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government and media organs to defame and discredit the Hizmet movement was among the plans of the Ergenekon network, which once attempted a coup d’état against the AK Party.

Turkey’s Refugee and Asylum Seeker Policy is being debated!

The Journalists and Writers Foundation Women’s Platform, which hosts many international meetings, is organizing a workshop on “Refugee-Asylum Seeker Policy of Turkey in the Light of Recent Developments” on April 25, 2013. Refugee issue has become a hot topic in Turkey, especially with the influx of a large number of Syrian people to Turkey due […]

Scholarly views in the aftermath of the coup attempt: A responsible government would rather support the Hizmet Movement

When the Hizmet Movement or Hocaefendi are mentioned specifically by governmentally influenced press in Turkey, it harms Turkey. Yes, it harms Hocaefendi, but not nearly as much as it harms Turkey. Turkey is hurting itself today when it limits political discussion, when it maligns its political adversaries, when it uses political tools and economic tools to harm social services and educational institutions in Turkey.

Turks fleeing post-coup reprisals find shelter in Pittsburgh

Until this summer, Cetin Gul of Istanbul, Turkey, worked as a videographer for a company that did promotional work for clients that included a charity organization. That charity, Hizmet, is associated with the movement of Fethullah Gulen. After a deadly and unsuccessful coup attempt by some in the Turkish military in July, the government began suppressing organizations associated with him. “Because of the direct association with Hizmet, I was a direct target,” Mr. Gul said.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

‘Pool media’ court case against Zaman daily tossed out

Pineapple republic!

Hizmet movement could be powerful argument for education

Turkish schools boost Turkey-Brazil ties

What are the golden kids of the Turkish Olympiads doing now?

Ceremony canceled after Gülen’s relative wins short film contest

The 14th Annual International Language and Culture Festival

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News