Azernews.Az

Former Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ was arrested late last night on charges of heading a terrorist organization and attempting to overthrow the government, Hurriyet reported.

Başbuğ had arrived yesterday at an Istanbul prosecutor’s office to testify in an ongoing case into an alleged propaganda campaign against the current government by the Turkish Armed Forces.

After seven hours of questioning, prosecutor Cihan Kansız directed Başbuğ to a court requesting his arrest on charges of "heading a terrorist organization," and "attempting to overthrow the government through use of force."

he court ordered Başbuğ's arrest at around half past midnight and sent him to Silivri prison. It is the first time in Turkey's history that a former chief of staff has been arrested by a civilian court of law.

President Abdullah Gül commented on Başbuğ's arrest today, saying, "Everyone is equal in front of the law; the matter should be contemplated with an even-temper."

'Judgment rests with the Turkish people'
Başbuğ made a statement after the court ordered his arrest, saying, "The 26th chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Republic has been arrested on charges of forming and leading a terrorist organization. The judgment rests with the Turkish people."

Başbuğ denied all accusations in his defense and said it was "tragicomic" that the chief of one of the world's most powerful armies had been accused of leading a terrorist organization.