Veli Küçük

Veli Küçük (born 9 May 1944, Türkmen, Gölpazarı, Bilecik, Turkey[1]) is a retired Turkish brigadier-general. He is thought to be the founder of the JİTEM intelligence arm of the Turkish Gendarmerie, and is accused by the Turkish government of being the head of the Ergenekon organization, based on testimony by Tuncay Güney.[1][2] He was arrested in January 2008,[3] and on 5 August 2013, sentenced to two consecutive life sentences.

Career

Küçük graduated from the Turkish Military Academy in 1965. He was promoted to Brigadier-General in 1996, and retired on 30 August 2000.[4]

Küçük is thought to be the founder of the JİTEM intelligence arm of the Turkish Gendarmerie.[1]

Susurluk
Main article: Susurluk scandal

Küçük is said to be the last person to have spoken to Abdullah Çatlı before his death in the 1996 Susurluk car crash, and to have communicated extensively with Çatlı, Drej Ali and Sami Hoştan.[5]

Ergenekon

Küçük is accused by the Turkish government of being the head of the Ergenekon organisation, based on testimony by Tuncay Güney.[1][2] He was arrested in January 2008.[3] Cem Ersever's archive was found in Küçük's house.[6]

Küçük is said to have close links with Alparslan Arslan, the shooter in the 2006 Turkish Council of State shooting.[7]

During the Ergenekon trials both Muzaffer Tekin and Oktay Yıldırım kissed Küçük's hand in court, as a traditional sign of respect.[8]

On 5 August 2013 he was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences.[9]

He was released on 11 March 2014 by the 4th High Criminal Court.[10] On 21 April 2016, the 16th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation overturned the decision of the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court.

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References
  1. Today's Zaman, 16 June 2009, Ultranationalist Ergenekon suspect is of Armenian origin, magazine reveals
  2. Hurriyet Daily News, 15 January 2009, Key testimony handed to defense
  3. Today's Zaman, 17 December 2008, Cross examination silences retired Gen. Veli Küçük
  4. Zaman, 12 June 2009, Veli küçük Ermeni köyünde doğmuş,Ermeniceyi iyi biliyor
  5. "Ergenekon" Conspiracy is Rooted in "Susurluk" Says Former Minister , 30 January 2008, bianet
  6. Today's Zaman, 13 August 2008, Ergenekon indictment reopens gendarmerie major’s murder case Archived 2012-09-21 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Radikal, 28 January 2007, Veli Küçük neden her taşın altından çıkıyor?.
  8. Today's Zaman, 27 December 2012, Ergenekon suspect Yıldırım kisses Küçük's hand
  9. Today's Zaman, 5 August 2013, Long sentences for Ergenekon suspects, life for ex-army chief Archived 2013-08-06 at the Wayback Machine
  10. "More top Ergenekon suspects released, including retired general Veli Küçük - Turkey News". Hürriyet Daily News. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
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