Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
I've made the case that Turkey is of critical geostrategic significance to the United States. But even were it not, this is the most compelling courtroom drama since O.J. Simpson was arrested.
If the glove don't fit, you must acquit. And what if the plans to bring down the AKP through a military coup, supposedly drawn up in 2003, make reference to a hospital by a name it wasn't given until 2008?
This article--a riveting examination of the forensic evidence in the so-called Sledgehammer case--was published on September 27. The authors are relatives of one of the key defendants. They note the multiple anachronisms in the alleged coup plans:
The documents purporting to be original military plans from 2003 contain references to entities that did not yet exist and future developments that could not have been known at the time. It’s as if a text pretending to date from 1970 referred to Diana Spencer as Princess of Wales—a title which she acquired only in 1981—or mentioned her car crash decades later. Hence, to any but the most jaundiced eye it is obvious that the incriminating documents were authored not by the military officers on trial, but by others many years later.
Anyone, they remark, with a few hours to spare can verify this. So who do they think is behind the framing of the defendants? They don't know, but they do note this:
In a recently released book by a distinguished police chief, Hanefi Avcı, much light has been shed on these machinations. Avcı claims that followers of Fethullah Gülen—the influential US-based spiritual leader—have formed a state within the state, effectively wresting control of the national police and large parts of the judiciary. (The Gülen movement is independent from the AKP, but the two have long been closely allied.) Gülenist police officers and prosecutors are targeting their perceived opponents, Avcı writes, using illegal wiretaps, selective leaks to the media, judicial manipulation, planted evidence, and fabricated documents. He describes the organization of the Gülenists within the national police in some detail, even naming the imam who allegedly runs the network. Avcı does not discuss the Sledgehammer case in detail, but leaves no doubt that he believes the defendants have been framed.
On September 28, Hanefi Avcı was arrested, accused of collaborating with terrorists.
If the plot gets any thicker, it will collapse upon itself like a black hole. But this isn't fiction. It's real.
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Comments :
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
Man, it's too bad Turkish politics is so dull. You must be ready to move to Ottawa and cover some worthwhile Canadian initiatives.
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
The only reason the West isn't glued to this is that Turkish names are long and confusing. How else can you explain it?
May '10
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
Isn't this how law and politics works in dozens of nations? Though I agree that Turkey matters, I doubt most Americans think of Turkey more often than they think of Suriname or Indonesia. If it wasn't for your posts, I'd probably never consider Turkey except as one more place I'd like to visit one day.
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
I suppose it is, but it's so gripping here--the stuff epic novels are made of--that it's hard for me to believe the rest of the world isn't riveted.
Jul '10
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
Does it involve adultery by a famous athelete or actor?
Couldya make a reality-TV show out of it?
Wait...Turkey...isn't that the country that banned Justin Timberlake?
May '10
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
The problem is we're all waiting on the Hollywood version. I'm sure Rob and Andrew have been dying to visit.
Jul '10
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
Oh, Turkey. I thought I was reading about Chicago.
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
Kenneth Does it involve adultery by a famous athelete or actor?
Couldya make a reality-TV show out of it?
Adultery! Yes! Totally, this case involves adultery.
Reality TV? It's made for it.
Jul '10
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
Claire Berlinski, Ed.
Kenneth Does it involve adultery by a famous athelete or actor?
Couldya make a reality-TV show out of it?
Adultery! Yes! Totally, this case involves adultery.
Reality TV? It's made for it. · Oct 2 at 5:49pm
If Hedo is involved you have yourself a winner.
Jul '10
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
How will the USA even recognize the threats to herself (before a 9/11-like devastating attack takes place, that is) when she is so clueless, and not only that, when she just does not even care to know? I mean totally clueless, or even delusional, people like Henri Barkey, Steven Cook and Stephen Kinzer speak as though they know a lot about Turkey, and no one is in a position to know they are plain wrong.
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
Okan, I suspect your point is apt to be missed because this thread is so old. It's something you could profitably raise in the discussion of the Tea Party's foreign policy, where many have offered the idea that foreign policy is a fairly simple, "follows from first-principles" thing, and that anyway this is no time to worry about it. I suspect you might disagree.
Aug '10
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
I apologize for this being a meta-comment in advance.
This thread really isn't that old, but you are right, it seems cold and done. I really like the idea of Ricochet being a conversation and not just another group blog, but I feel that we move on from topic to topic too quickly.
Maybe the Contributors could post less and converse more? Fewer, deeper threads?
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
Mark Woodworth
I apologize for this being a meta-comment in advance.
This thread really isn't that old, but you are right, it seems cold and done. I really like the idea of Ricochet being a conversation and not just another group blog, but I feel that we move on from topic to topic too quickly.
Maybe the Contributors could post less and converse more? Fewer, deeper threads? · Oct 5 at 7:03am
That would be okay with me.
Sep '10
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
Claire Berlinski, Ed.
Mark Woodworth
I apologize for this being a meta-comment in advance.
This thread really isn't that old, but you are right, it seems cold and done. I really like the idea of Ricochet being a conversation and not just another group blog, but I feel that we move on from topic to topic too quickly.
Maybe the Contributors could post less and converse more? Fewer, deeper threads? · Oct 5 at 7:03am
That would be okay with me. · Oct 5 at 7:45am
Lady Berlinski. I have the greatest respect for your ability but surely you must realize that if you post at the pace you do, we will feast like dogs, instead of grazing like cats. At the risk of causing Mauve Sasquatch or Blue Yeti to take the vapors from having to hack html code directly, I suggest you create some mechanism that allows you to designate a thread as worthy of a long life so that we can see the "keep this thread alive" request upon login.
Sep '10
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
I am tempted to say that "some threads should have nine lives", but I think that I'm in danger of being put to sleep for overusing the cat comedy here on Ricochet, at which point Rob Long will give me the hook.
(Along with a saucer of milk and bus ticket to New Jersey)
Sep '10
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
I seem to have shut down this thread.
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
No, no, I'm still here. Anyone else here?
I agree that the threads -- MINE IN PARTICULAR -- are disappearing too fast. It will all be solved when I bring more democracy to Ricochet.
May '10
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
Claire Berlinski, Ed.: No, no, I'm still here. Anyone else here?
I agree that the threads -- MINE IN PARTICULAR -- are disappearing too fast. It will all be solved when I bring more democracy to Ricochet. · Oct 8 at 7:56am
I think that problem which will only be exacerbated by more contributors and more members could be solved in part by creating a site architecture that allowed for topical categories. While theoretically the "follow" tools should allow groups to splinter off and feed streams independently, I think we're too visual -- we need to see it. The only long streaming list of stuff is really inefficient. Something like a Tweetdeck organization structure that allows for using more space and smaller type would also help. Of course I understand, conservatively speaking, that resources are not unlimited...
Sep '10
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
Claire Berlinski, Ed.: No, no, I'm still here. Anyone else here?
I agree that the threads -- MINE IN PARTICULAR -- are disappearing too fast. It will all be solved when I bring more democracy to Ricochet. · Oct 8 at 7:56am
I'm a little miffed that Mauve Sasquatch elicited not a peep from the Blue Yugo. I mean substantive posts are great, but comedy is hard. I like Trace's suggestions, and you will have to consider a forum structure where the Off Topic could be called The Litterbox for example.
Jun '10
Re: Why You Should Care About the Arrest of Hanefi Avcı
Claire Berlinski, Ed.: No, no, I'm still here. Anyone else here?
I agree that the threads -- MINE IN PARTICULAR -- are disappearing too fast. It will all be solved when I bring more democracy to Ricochet. · Oct 8 at 7:56am
I am back here now because I am using the "follow" feature for threads and contributors -- works like a charm. Threads seem to me to whimper out naturally and appropriately like normal conversation but they don't actually die -- the threads are still there -- the caravan has moved on. The many recurring topics -- election polls/speculation, Christine O'Donnell's supporters vs Kenneth, moderate Muslems, etc have enough new juice, so far, to be worthwhile. I am very pleased with the depth of the conversations -- already been to graduate school. The duration of the conversation is driven by the interest, which is as it should be. The only concern that I have is that many posts are very interesting and valuable but don't seem to generate many comments. A mechanism that allows the PTB to see that the post was valued though not commented would be good. I love the Epstein/Yoo conversations but comment, no.