The remains of former President
Turgut Ozal, were exhumed in Istanbul on Tuesday on the orders of prosecutors
investigating suspicions of foul play in his death 19 years ago.
Turgut Ozal, were exhumed in Istanbul on Tuesday on the orders of prosecutors
investigating suspicions of foul play in his death 19 years ago.
Ozal, led Turkey out of military rule in the 1980s and drove
far-reaching economic reform.
far-reaching economic reform.
Amid tight security, mechanical diggers dug up his grave within
a towering mausoleum in a cemetery on the European side of Turkey’s largest city, supervised by a prosecutor-led team
including forensic experts.
a towering mausoleum in a cemetery on the European side of Turkey’s largest city, supervised by a prosecutor-led team
including forensic experts.
Ozal died of heart failure in April 1993 in an Ankara hospital
at the age of 65 while in office.
After his death, relatives and associates voiced suspicions he
had been poisoned.
had been poisoned.
Forensic teams will investigate whether any poisonous substances
are present in the remains, which were expected to be returned to Ozal’s family
by the weekend, the head of the state forensic medicine institute, Haluk Ince,
said.
are present in the remains, which were expected to be returned to Ozal’s family
by the weekend, the head of the state forensic medicine institute, Haluk Ince,
said.
Turkish political history has been littered with military coups,
alleged anti-government plots and extra-judicial killings.
alleged anti-government plots and extra-judicial killings.
A Turkish court is currently trying hundreds of suspects
allegedly linked to a nationalist underground network known as “Ergenekon’’
accused of plotting to overthrow the current government.
allegedly linked to a nationalist underground network known as “Ergenekon’’
accused of plotting to overthrow the current government.
Ozal’s brother, Korkut Ozal, said in 2010 he believed Ergenekon
had killed his brother.
had killed his brother.
‘Extrajudicial killings’ were common at that time and have been
blamed on shadowy militant forces with ties to the state.
blamed on shadowy militant forces with ties to the state.
Those suspicious about his death have pointed to efforts which
Ozal made to end the conflict with Kurdish militants during his time in office,
including securing a Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) cease fire shortly before
his death.
Ozal made to end the conflict with Kurdish militants during his time in office,
including securing a Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) cease fire shortly before
his death.
After a period of military rule following a 1980 coup, Ozal
dominated Turkish politics during his period as prime minister from 1983 to 89,
and parliament then elected him president.
dominated Turkish politics during his period as prime minister from 1983 to 89,
and parliament then elected him president.
Viewed as a visionary leader who helped pave the way for modern
Turkey with free market economic policies, Ozal also gave firm support to the
West, supporting the U.S.-led coalition which expelled Iraq from Kuwait in
1991.
Turkey with free market economic policies, Ozal also gave firm support to the
West, supporting the U.S.-led coalition which expelled Iraq from Kuwait in
1991.
While prime minister, Ozal survived an assassination attempt by
a right-wing gunman in 1988 when he was shot at a party congress, suffering a
wounded finger.
a right-wing gunman in 1988 when he was shot at a party congress, suffering a
wounded finger.
Ince said it would take at least two months for the forensic
institute to complete its report, after which the findings would be sent to the
state prosecutor’s office.
institute to complete its report, after which the findings would be sent to the
state prosecutor’s office.
Prosecutors decided two weeks ago that Ozal’s remains should be
exhumed and an autopsy held after a state supervisory board, acting on the
order of President Abdullah Gul, produced a report in June voicing suspicions
about his death.
exhumed and an autopsy held after a state supervisory board, acting on the
order of President Abdullah Gul, produced a report in June voicing suspicions
about his death.
