Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has released a harsh criticism to a recent judicial attempt, which has aimed to release suspects who were detained in the parallel state investigation.
“They acted on the orders from Pennsylvania," said Erdoğan, referring to the U.S.-based cleric, Fethullah Gülen, who is accused of forming and running a terror organization in Turkey.
“The judges stayed late in the locked rooms, which is not understandable at all. It has shown their attempt is part of an organizational work. It has shown how these types of dangerous relations go far in Turkey."
He was speaking on Monday before leaving for Kuwait where he will hold official talks with Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmet. His remarks were in reference to the suspension of three judges for their attempt to release the suspects including a top executive, close to his arch-foe.
“They will pay a heavy price for what they have done so far. The law and democracy will be dominant powers here," he said. “There is no way for others to install another democracy in the way they want."
Later on Monday, the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors, or HSYK, announched suspension of one more judge, Habil Kahraman, who ruled for release of three police officers. The officers had been detained in the police raids across 11 provinces as part of a Şanlıurfa-based probe. They were detained on charges of wiretapping. Their targets reportedly included cabinet members and business leaders.
On Saturday, Mustafa Başer, a judge from the 32nd Criminal Court of First Instance, attempted to release 75 suspects, including Hidayet Karaca, the chairman of Samanyolu TV channel, a media outlet close to the Muslim cleric, who have been under detention since Dec 14.
On Dec. 14, police raided media outlets, close to Erdoğan's arch-foe, and detained 24 people including former police chief as part of an investigation against what President call a terrorist organization aiming to unseating him.
The raids on Samanyolu TV and Zaman newspaper have marked a further escalation in President's battle with his ex-ally whom he has shared tense relation which have stemmed from a major corruption and graft investigation targeting Erdoğan and his inner circle, which became known Dec. 17 and 25 raids.
The raids were launched in a response to complaints that have been filed against Gülen-led terror group by several individuals from Tahşiye group, which was allegedly victimized due to illegal activities by the cleric's supporters who have embedded within the state to form what the President call "parallel state".
Key police officers, allegedly linked with Gülen's terror network, were detained for their part into the wiretapping operations targeting senior officials. They are said to have been involved in wiretapping and eavesdropping for political and military espionage for a foreign intelligence service.
A law expert has argued that the two judges, said to be loyal to U.S.-based cleric Gülen, have committed a crime when they attempted to release dozens of suspects, detained in the latest media crackdown on the government's critics.
"I believe they have committed a serious crime in respect of criminal law. This is not a crime which is related with their duties,” said Mustafa Şentop, the vice chair of ruling Justice and Development Party, or AK party.
“The decision of Criminal Court of First Instance to release the suspects has been declared as null and void because it does not have any authority to make such a decision,” asserted Şentop, who is also a law professor.
“Any judge can not furnish power to another judge unless a certain law gives him power for making such a decision,” he said.
