Retired General Tokat Under Investigation
Human Rights Association (IHD) Chairman Yusuf Alatas and Association for Human Rights and Solidarity with the Oppressed (MAZLUMDER) Chairman Ayhan Bilgen filed criminal complaints against Tokat in Ankara as the Diyarbakir Bar Association filed a complaint in Diyarbakir and the Patriotic Front Jurists Initiative filed one in Istanbul.
The complaints, demanding an investigation into Tokat and his revelations, coincided with the Diyarbakir Public Prosecutor's Office launching an inquiry into the former general which, if it leads to an indictment, could put him in the dock charged under articles 257 and 170 of the new Criminal Code meaning 6 months to 3 years imprisonment if found guilty of "abusing authority" and "deliberately threatening general security".
Diyarbakir Bar Association Wants Bombs Revealed
Diyarbakir Bar Association Chairman Sezgin Tanrikulu told bianet in an interview that their criminal complaint was filed on Monday after a decision taken by the executive board.
The Bar Association wants Tokat to be put on trial for "conducting bombing activities to change the constitutional order, frighten and intimidate judges and prosecutors; influencing justice and abuse of authority".
Tanrikulu said that in the complaint they filed, the Association asked for past bombing activities to be investigated and revealed.
Alatas and Bilgen: Tokat encouraged crime
In the complaint they filed to the Ankara Public Prosecutor's Office, Alatas and Bilgen asked for an investigation to be launched into Tokat and for him as well as his accomplices in crime to be put on trial and punished.
The human rights activists said Tokat was responsible for the following offences:
* Setting up an armed organization for the intention of committing crimes
* Leveling threats to create fear and panic among the people
* Influencing those carrying out judicial duties
* Inciting hatred and enmity among the people
* Abusing authority
* Glorifying crime and criminals
Alatas and Bilgen's complaint also stated that it was important for the bombing and attacks mentioned by Tokat to be uncovered.
"What is important is to establish which are the actions carried out under Altay Tokat's orders and how many people were killed or injured in these acts. Because it is not known when and how the bombings and attacks mentioned took place" their complaint letter said.
"It is not known whether in these acts there were deaths or injuries as in the Semdinli example. Because of this, the service period of the mentioned person should be placed under a magnifying glass and it is essential that all incidents are investigated with skepticism."
The complaint further said that as Tokat was a former high level military official, his remarks had cast doubts over all official statements made in relation to incidents in the Southeast region and concluded that it was extremely important for all of the incidents to be investigated in an independent and impartial manner.
Patriotic Front: Remaining silent means siding with them
Filing a separate criminal complaint in Istanbul to be sent to the Chief of General Staff Military Court Prosecutor's Office, the Patriotic Front Jurists Initiative charged that Tokat had committed a series of heavy offences.
The complaint undersigned by Istanbul Bar Association lawyers Ozan Gulhan, Evren Demircan, Bilge Han, Can Acilioglu, Fulya Durak and Mahir Arduc said the former general had committed these crimes:
* Deliberately threatening general public security
* Using public duty vehicles and equipment in commissioning a crime
* Encouraging soldiers to disobedience
* Influencing those carrying out judicial duties
* Insulting the institutions and organs of the state
* Inciting hatred and enmity among the people
* Glorifying crime and criminals
Their complaint said "we will not permit the feeling of justice to be eroded, attempts to shape it up, the people being filled with hatred and enmity.
"To remain silent to Altay Tokat and those like him as they continue their activities without hindrance and explain them in a glorifying manner means taking sides with them. We, the patriotic jurists of the country, prefer not to remain silent but to fight on the side of peace and brotherhood. (TK/II/YE)