Turkey's former armed forces chief raised a clenched fist and waved to supporters when he faced terrorism charges on Monday in a historic trial that demonstrates the ebbing power of an army that once ranged above political leaders in the country. The court, sitting in the Silivri high security prison complex, underlined the fall of the military by denying General Ilker Basbug's opening appeal to have his case considered by the Supreme Court. Basbug, chief of staff from 2008 to 2010, is accused of being a leader of a shadowy network dubbed “Ergenekon”, behind a string of alleged plots against the government of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. His lawyer, however, said at the weekend the case targeted not only Basbug, but also “the Turkish armed forces and even, in politi cal terms, the state.” The trial encroaches on sensitive territory in a country that saw three coups in the second half of the 20th century. The military has viewed Erdogan, a man with roots in political Islam, and his AK Party with deep suspicion since it was first elected in 2002. Since then it has built up a huge majority in parliament, reformed the judiciary and used its authority, bolstered by economic success, to strip the military of the power it has enjoyed to make or break governments. Basbug chatted with family and friends during a break, telling them he was in good health, and exchanged salutes with former colleagues. One told him; “The Turkish army has never ben defeated.” Basbug replied: “Of course! All this will pass.” Basbug branded the case against him as tragi-comic when he was first detained in January. Dressed in a dark suit and tie, he was the first of 29 defendants to confirm his identity to the bench of three judges. His answers to judges were to the point. Asked where he was living, Basbug said: “Since January 6, I've been staying at Silivri prison, cell block number five.”
