A lawsuit was filed against former Chief of General Staff İlker Başbuğ due to his expressions during an interview he gave for Cumhuriyet Daily in January. Başbuğ was asserted to have implied a “coup” as he expressed that “in case early elections could be announced before the military coup in 1960, the coup could have been prevented.” Başbuğ faces an imprisonment sentence from 1 year up to 3 years due to “public incitement towards resentment and hostility.” In the interview, dated January 2021, Başbuğ had stated, “In case Menderes announced the date of the early elections in Eskişehir on May 25, 1960, the May 27 military coup would most probably be prevented. Because a military coup against a government making a decision for early elections would also be a coup against the political will of the nation, clearly.” After these statements, Başbuğ had testified at the Prosecutor’s Office due to an implication of an upcoming coup.
06.05.2021
Gazete Duvar