Turkish General Accused of Illegal Operations Against Kurds

by Sebnem Arsu, The New York Times

ISTANBUL, March 9 — A rift between Turkey's Islamic-leaning government and the secular military showed signs of growing this week when a civilian prosecutor suggested that a prominent general was behind covert illegal operations in the Kurdish southeastern region.

The prosecutor, Ferhat Sarikaya, did not bring charges against the general, Yasar Buyukanit, because his court lacked jurisdiction. But his statements went to the heart of many accusations that the politically powerful military had helped foment a 20-year conflict with Kurdish separatists in southeastern Turkey. More than 30,000 people have died in that fighting.

General Buyukanit, who has been mentioned as a possible military chief for Turkey, said he would defend himself if a military tribunal pursued the case.

The prosecutor is bringing charges in the bombing of a bookstore last November in Semdinli, a town near the Iraq border, in which three suspects were seized and nearly lynched by crowds who thought they might be agents sent by the military to cause trouble.

The three turned out to be members of a paramilitary force who were involved in intelligence activities but denied involvement in the bombing. General Buyukanit acknowledged knowing one of the suspects, who had served under his command, describing him as a "good fellow."

His remark was noted by Mr. Sarikaya, who suggested that the general should be charged with trying to interfere with judicial proceedings.

Until recently, it would have been unimaginable to see such accusations against a high-ranking member of the military. But with steps Turkey has taken toward greater democracy in preparation for entry in the European Union, several retired members of the army have been tried on corruption charges. "For a general like Mr. Buyukanit to be subject to charges as serious as they are means a lot for transparency in Turkey," said Sami Kohen, a columnist for the newspaper Milliyet. "Many taboo subjects that were unimaginable to debate a few years ago are fading one by one."

Umit Firat, a Kurdish publisher, welcomed progress in the courts. "Now, the real challenge is to make sure that these claims are examined in accordance with law, free of any political influence," he said.

Opposition politicians and the news media have questioned the motives of Mr. Sarikaya, the chief state prosecutor in Van, in eastern Turkey. They say Mr. Sarikaya is trying to ruin General Buyukanit's chances of becoming the military chief because the general is too outspoken a government critic. They say that Mr. Sarikaya's accusations against the general are based on slim evidence. "I did what my duty required me to do," Milliyet quoted the prosecutor as saying in response.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed anger at suggestions of a rift between the government and military. His justice minister ordered an investigation of the accusations against the prosecutor.

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