WordBulletin

World Bulletin / News Desk

An İstanbul court on Thursday announced that former Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Özkök will testify as a witness in an ongoing investigation into Ergenekon -- a clandestine organization charged with plotting to overthrow the government.

Özkök testified as a witness in the Ergenekon investigation in 2009. In his testimony, Özkök said he was aware that some of his generals were preparing to commit illegal and antidemocratic activities, although he had never been asked to be part of such plans as he would never have permitted or created an opportunity for such a proposition.

There have been claims that a planned military coup would have been staged in 2004 if then-Chief of General Staff Gen. Özkök had supported it.

The İstanbul 13th High Criminal Court, hearing the Ergenekon case, also announced that former journalist and current Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy Şamil Tayyar will also testify to the court as a witness.