WSJ, Judiciary, Gulen Movement, and the Government

Nazli Ilicak
Nazli Ilicak


Date posted: April 4, 2013

The news I read in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) took me by great surprise. Supposedly, (former Gen. Staff) Ilker Basbug’s imprisonment for life was a message from the Gulen Movement to Erdogan, saying, “Beware! You cannot seek resolution on the Kurdish issue without our permission.”

The claim that there was an organizational grouping of members of the Movement in the judicial circle was first brought up when Prosecutor Sadrettin Kaya wished to interrogate Hakan Fidan, Counselor for MIT (National Intelligence Organization). Even if one doesn’t agree with the issue, the fact that the incident was considered to be an “overstepping of judicial boundaries” can at least be paid some respect. However, generalizations made without the support of any sound evidence contradicts with the gravity of the issue.

That said, did it not become obvious that all these claims had been nothing but nonsense after Fethullah Gulen’s support on the Imrali negotiation process? So, this comes to mean that the summoning of Fidan into interrogation was because of the fact that the MIT seemed to have some kind of part in the KCK operations. The prosecutor was obligated to carry on his interrogation, based on the evidence received from security forces and the current laws.

We love writing out different scenarios based solely on assumptions. There are some who do this through their bad intentions, wanting to weaken their target, AK Party. And there are others who get carried away with conspiracy theories and produced baseless claims. Supposedly, the imprisonment of Basbug was a warning from the Movement to Erdogan! As if the Prime Minister were against judging the attempts towards coup! On the contrary, Erdogan had only criticized the widespread apprehensions and the accusation of Basbug on being “a member of a terrorist organization”. Otherwise, he was not apt to covering up and letting go of those who were after psychological operations and black propaganda. After all, without the support of the political will, the process of judging the coups wouldn’t have been able to begin in the first place.

Source: [in Turkish] Sabah, 23 March 2013. English translation is retrieved from HizmetMovement.Com

Tags: Fethullah Gulen, Defamation of Fethullah Gulen

 


Related News

Dozens of US Congress members urge Kerry to press Turkey for freer media

A large number of members of the US Congress have voiced concerns on the recent arrest of media members in Turkey and called on Secretary of State John Kerry to press the Turkish government to secure press freedom in the country.

Right to dissent in Turkey

The primary reason why members of Hizmet (Service), a faith-based social movement inspired by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, have been attacked, vilified and stigmatized by a government that is dominated by overzealous political Islamists and pro-Iranian sympathizers is that Gülen is standing up to the increasingly authoritarian powers of Erdoğan, who has seized control of the republic’s institutions including the judiciary, leading to increased polarization and tension in Turkish society.

Gulen blasts ‘despicable’ 2016 Turkey coup bid, subsequent ‘witch hunt’

US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, the man blamed by Turkey for a failed coup attempt a year ago, on Friday again denied any involvement in what he called a “despicable putsch,” and called on Ankara to end its “witch hunt” of his followers.

NATO Insiders Suspect Turkey Coup Was Staged by Erdogan himself

In the 8 months since Turkey’s government weathered a potentially destabilizing coup, allegations continue to swirl about who was actually behind the surprising flare up of violence. In an unsubstantiated leak to Aldrimer.no, “Senior NATO sources” currently believe the coup was staged by President Erdogan himself.

Humanity prepares its own end, says Assyrian Catholic Church leader Sag

“Dialogue is not an option,” Yesil said, “it is an obligatory way through which we all have to go.” “We both need and have to understand and know each other, love each other and live together.”

Veteran who lost legs in PKK attack removed from civil service over Gulen links

A Kırıkkale man who lost his both legs in a PKK attack while doing military service in the eastern province of Bingöl, has been sacked from a state institution after authorities found out that private colleges linked to Gülen Movement granted scholarship to his children.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Erdogan’s religious counsel issues fatwa for civil war, ordinary crimes

Muslim world in transition: Contributions of the Gülen Movement

The Pigeon, The Finger, and Hizmet’s ‘Inevitable Ambiguity’

Fethullah Gulen’s Statement on Mass Shooting at Pittsburgh Synagogue

Why couldn’t Bozdağ talk about the parallel structure?

Bank Asya lawyers call upon B Group shareholders to join against seizure

Hizmet and the interfaith movement

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News