Eight more Turkish military officers arrested in coup plot probe

Eight more Turkish military officers, including three retired army members, were arrested under a coup plot investigation here early on Thursday.

The semi-official Anatolia news agency reported that the arrest operation was carried out within the scope of an investigation regarding "Balyoz Plan" allegations.

The latest arrests bring the number of top military officers under custody to about 65.

Earlier in the week, a number of people including former commanders of Turkish air and naval forces were detained over alleged military plans to overthrow the government.

According to the report, the officers, who were interrogated by the prosecutors at the Istanbul Court House in Besiktas, were first sent to the High Criminal Court.

The court ruled that the current and former army members, including retired Gen. Izzet Ocak, retired Gen. Metin Yavuz Yalcin and retired Colonel Kubilay Aktas, shall be arrested.

Upon such ruling, the arrested officers were sent to prison.

However, neither the court nor the police made any official announcement on the arrests and charges.

Daily News reported that the standoff between Turkey's government and military intensifies as high-level officials, including the top brass, come together for a slew of unannounced meetings.

Rumors come out that they are considering resignation in protest of recent detentions of fellow soldiers. In response, the ruling party warns against interfering in ongoing judicial investigations.

The rift that emerged between Turkey's government and military after the latest detentions of military commanders has deepened to the point that the opposition believes an early election is needed to ease the mounting tension.

Following Monday's secret meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek and Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, the top general is expected to meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday or Friday.

Source: Xinhua