Turkish Media: Former Air Force Commander Denies Involvement in Coup

Despite an initial report from the Turkish state news agency regarding the confession of the former commander of the Turkish Air Force about leading the recent failed coup in the country, non-state Turkish media reported on Monday that General Akin Ozturk denied his role in orchestrating this action. The NTV television network and the Haberturk news channel reported on Monday afternoon that Akin Ozturk denied involvement in the coup that took place last Friday night in Turkey, stating that he had attempted to prevent the event. In this context, Haberturk also reported that General Ozturk told prosecutors that he was unaware of the coup's planners and leadership, and had no role in it. This news outlet also published the prosecutor's report regarding these confessions and cited the text of General Ozturk's interrogations, stating that he claimed to have made efforts to prevent the coup. It was mentioned that he recalled being in Izmir before the coup occurred and returned to Ankara in the afternoon with the commander of the land forces, remaining with him until night. This is while the state news agency Anadolu had previously reported that General Ozturk stated in his interrogations that he 'intended to carry out a coup.' Anadolu later amended this report, stating that although this senior general confessed to intending to carry out a coup, he had no involvement in 'this coup' and was unaware of it. Images released of Akin Ozturk after his arrest show him with an injured face and a bandaged ear, and after the interrogation on Monday, it was reported that the court had ordered the extension of his detention. The former commander of the Turkish Air Force had previously denied involvement in the recent coup in a statement, emphasizing that he acted to neutralize the coup. From the early hours following the failed coup on Friday night, media outlets reported on the possibility of General Ozturk's involvement in this event, and it was even said that some officers had previously warned about this senior general's intention to stage a coup. Just hours before this news was published, agencies reported, citing the Turkish Interior Minister, that nearly 9,000 police and government officials affiliated with this ministry had been dismissed as part of the post-coup purges. In statements reflected in the state news agency Anadolu, the number of dismissed officials was mentioned as 8,777, including 30 governors, 52 public service inspectors, and 16 legal advisors. Meanwhile, the wave of arrests and purges following the recent coup has raised concerns, with various European officials warning Turkey that this event should not be used as an excuse to suppress dissent. Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign affairs chief, stated on Monday that recent developments should not be used by the Erdogan government as an 'excuse' to abandon the rule of law. Before her, Jean-Marc Ayrault, the French Foreign Minister, also stated that the Turkish President should not use this event as a 'blank check' to suppress dissent. In response to these statements on Monday, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that his country would never retreat from democratic achievements and the rule of law.