Turkish court arrests 18 suspects in controversial Ergenekon probe

Turkish police detained last week 26 people around the country and searched the offices of a private TV channel and a union in Ankara under as part of the ongoing Ergenekon probe.     Â

The court ordered the arrest of 18 people including Turkish Metal Union chairman Mustafa Ozbek, seven military officers and ten police officers.

 

The remaining eight, including Turkish Metal Union executives, researcher Erhan Goksel and journalist Unal Inanc, were released without charge.

 

The case, which has divided Turkey, was filed against more than 80 people on the charge of forming an illegal organization to provoke a series of events that would pave the way for a military coup. Many however believe the government is using the Ergenekon case as an excuse to suppress its opposition.