Difference between revisions of "Susurluk car crash"
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{{event | {{event | ||
| − | |constitutes=deep event, | + | |constitutes=Structural deep event, Assassination, Scandal |
|type=car crash | |type=car crash | ||
|image=Susurluk car crash.jpg | |image=Susurluk car crash.jpg | ||
|wikipedia=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susurluk_car_crash | |wikipedia=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susurluk_car_crash | ||
| − | |description= | + | |description=A seminal but still rather poorly understood [[deep event]]. It led to the coining of the phrase "[[deep state]]", and by extension "[[deep politics]]" and "[[deep politician]]". |
|start=3 November 1996 | |start=3 November 1996 | ||
|end=3 November 1996 | |end=3 November 1996 | ||
| − | |locations=Susurluk, | + | |locations=Susurluk, Balıkesir Province, Turkey |
| + | |exposed=Turkey/Deep state | ||
}} | }} | ||
| + | The '''Susurluk car crash''' was a botched [[assassination]] which [[Turkey/Deep state/Exposure|exposed]] the [[Turkish deep state]] by causing many Turks to reconsider what they thought knew about how "[[democracy]]" worked in their country. Although intended only as an assassination, it is recorded on this site as a [[structural deep event]], since it sparked a worldwide awakening, not only in Turkey but worldwide that "democracy" in practice is a far cry from how it works in theory. | ||
| + | |||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
| − | Prior to the crash, all the victims, plus [[Turkish Interior Minister]] [[Mehmet Ağar]], had been staying at the Onura Hotel in Kuşadası.<ref name=HRFT39>{{harv|HRFT|1998|p=39}}</ref> The assassination plan called for Ağar to be killed too. However, he was warned by [[Sami Hoştan]] so he remained at the hotel and told the rest to leave without him.<ref> | + | Prior to the crash, all the victims, plus [[Turkish Interior Minister]] [[Mehmet Ağar]], had been staying at the Onura Hotel in Kuşadası.<ref name=HRFT39>{{harv|HRFT|1998|p=39}}</ref> The assassination plan called for Ağar to be killed too. However, he was warned by [[Sami Hoştan]] so he remained at the hotel and told the rest to leave without him.<ref>http://yenisafak.com.tr/Gundem/?t=11.12.2008&c=1&i=155441</ref> |
| − | Former MHP deputy [[Kubilay Uygun]] said that he was introduced to [[Abdullah Çatlı]] and [[Hüseyin Kocadağ]] three days before by a now-retired lieutenant general. Uygun says that he too has worked for the | + | Former MHP deputy [[Kubilay Uygun]] said that he was introduced to [[Abdullah Çatlı]] and [[Hüseyin Kocadağ]] three days before by a now-retired lieutenant general. Uygun says that he too has worked for the [[Turkish deep state]].<ref>http://www.zaman.com.tr/haber.do?haberno=16842</ref> |
| − | |||
| − | The Prosecutor's Report said that the passengers in the car were on their way to stage an assassination.<ref> | + | The Prosecutor's Report said that the passengers in the car were on their way to stage an [[assassination]].<ref>http://arama.hurriyet.com.tr/arsivnews.aspx?id=-502657 quote=Meanwhile, the confidential 'prosecutor's report' on Susurluk reached the conclusion that the 'Susurluk gang' was on its way to stage an assassination when it met with a road accident on Nov. 3, 1996.</ref> |
==The Crash== | ==The Crash== | ||
| − | The Susurluk car crash happened on 3 November 1996 at around 19:25, as a result of sabotage to the brakes of the car.<ref> | + | The Susurluk car crash happened on 3 November 1996 at around 19:25, as a result of sabotage to the brakes of the car.<ref>https://isgp-studies.com/2014_10_Joris_Demmink_Westerflier_Cult.php</ref> According to an anonymous witness, the car was reportedly travelling at nearly 180 km/h.<ref>[[Hurriyet Daily News]], 19 September 1997, [http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/curtain-falls-on-susurluk-tragicomedy.aspx?pageID=438&n=curtain-falls-on-susurluk-tragicomedy-1997-09-19 Curtain Falls on Susurluk Tragicomedy]</ref> |
| − | According to an anonymous witness in the 2007 [[Ergenekon investigation]], everyone initially survived the crash, which was precipitated by remotely disabling the brakes of the Mercedes. A three-person team came and snapped the necks of Us and Çatlı. Bucak was rescued by his guards, who also took his bag from the boot (trunk) and called Grey Wolf Haluk Kırcı.<ref> | + | According to an anonymous witness in the 2007 [[Ergenekon investigation]], everyone initially survived the crash, which was precipitated by remotely disabling the brakes of the Mercedes. A three-person team came and snapped the necks of Us and Çatlı. Bucak was rescued by his guards, who also took his bag from the boot (trunk) and called Grey Wolf [[Haluk Kırcı]].<ref>http://yenisafak.com.tr/Gundem/?t=04.08.2008&i=132847</ref> |
| − | |||
Three of the car's occupants were killed: | Three of the car's occupants were killed: | ||
| Line 31: | Line 32: | ||
===Blame=== | ===Blame=== | ||
| − | The truck driver, Hasan Gökçe, was found legally responsible and sentenced to three years in jail.<ref>{{harv|HRFT|1998|p=74}}</ref> His truck was later foreclosed after he failed to pay his taxes.<ref> | + | The truck driver, Hasan Gökçe, was found legally responsible and sentenced to three years in jail.<ref>{{harv|HRFT|1998|p=74}}</ref> His truck was later foreclosed after he failed to pay his taxes.<ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/10284696.asp</ref> |
==Evidence== | ==Evidence== | ||
| Line 37: | Line 38: | ||
* apparently genuine [[Diplomatic immunity|diplomatic credential]]s, given by the Turkish authorities | * apparently genuine [[Diplomatic immunity|diplomatic credential]]s, given by the Turkish authorities | ||
* a government-approved weapons permit. | * a government-approved weapons permit. | ||
| − | * a fake passport in the name of Mehmet Özbay; the same alias used by [[Mehmet Ali Ağca]].<ref name=Komisar1997> | + | * a [[fake passport]] in the name of 'Mehmet Özbay'; the same alias used by [[Mehmet Ali Ağca]].<ref name=Komisar1997>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1295/is_n4_v61/ai_19254727/pg_5 Komisar, Lucy (April 1997). "Turkey's Terrorists: A CIA Legacy Lives on". The Progressive. "At the scene of the Mercedes-Benz crash, Turkish investigators found Çatli with a fake passport. 'The person on this photo, Mehmet Özbay, serves as a specialist for the police directorate and he is allowed to carry guns.' Mehmet Özbay was an alias — the very same that Mehmet Ali Ağca had on his own passport."]</ref> |
| − | |||
* numerous pistols, one .22 caliber Beretta with a silencer, and two submachine guns. | * numerous pistols, one .22 caliber Beretta with a silencer, and two submachine guns. | ||
* two listening devices. | * two listening devices. | ||
| − | * a cache of | + | * a cache of [[drugs]]. |
* thousands of U.S. dollars. | * thousands of U.S. dollars. | ||
==Susurluk Scandal== | ==Susurluk Scandal== | ||
The revelation of the connections between the victims led to multiple investigations of what became known as the [[Susurluk scandal]]. [[Daniele Ganser]] writes "For weeks on end the press and the TV channels were dominated by the scandal and the newest revelations of the corrupt 'Susurluk state'. Nearly 100,000 workers marched in protest in the Turkish capital demanding the truth about the stay-behind soldiers while people on the streets in opinion polls expressed their belief that the Turkish judicial system was not working properly and that the government was corrupt, declaring that they were sick and tired of all the violence and secret operations."<ref>2005, [[Daniele Ganser]], 'NATO's Secret Armies: Operation GLADIO and Terrorism in Western Europe', pp. 89-90.</ref> | The revelation of the connections between the victims led to multiple investigations of what became known as the [[Susurluk scandal]]. [[Daniele Ganser]] writes "For weeks on end the press and the TV channels were dominated by the scandal and the newest revelations of the corrupt 'Susurluk state'. Nearly 100,000 workers marched in protest in the Turkish capital demanding the truth about the stay-behind soldiers while people on the streets in opinion polls expressed their belief that the Turkish judicial system was not working properly and that the government was corrupt, declaring that they were sick and tired of all the violence and secret operations."<ref>2005, [[Daniele Ganser]], 'NATO's Secret Armies: Operation GLADIO and Terrorism in Western Europe', pp. 89-90.</ref> | ||
| − | |||
{{SMWDocs}} | {{SMWDocs}} | ||
| − | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
Latest revision as of 21:13, 13 September 2024
 | |
| Date | 3 November 1996 |
|---|---|
| Location | Susurluk, Balıkesir Province, Turkey |
| Type |  car crash |
| Exposed | Turkey/Deep state |
| Interest of | Sibel Edmonds |
| Description | A seminal but still rather poorly understood deep event. It led to the coining of the phrase "deep state", and by extension "deep politics" and "deep politician". |
The Susurluk car crash was a botched assassination which exposed the Turkish deep state by causing many Turks to reconsider what they thought knew about how "democracy" worked in their country. Although intended only as an assassination, it is recorded on this site as a structural deep event, since it sparked a worldwide awakening, not only in Turkey but worldwide that "democracy" in practice is a far cry from how it works in theory.
Contents
Background
Prior to the crash, all the victims, plus Turkish Interior Minister Mehmet Ağar, had been staying at the Onura Hotel in Kuşadası.[1] The assassination plan called for Ağar to be killed too. However, he was warned by Sami Hoştan so he remained at the hotel and told the rest to leave without him.[2]
Former MHP deputy Kubilay Uygun said that he was introduced to Abdullah Çatlı and Hüseyin Kocadağ three days before by a now-retired lieutenant general. Uygun says that he too has worked for the Turkish deep state.[3]
The Prosecutor's Report said that the passengers in the car were on their way to stage an assassination.[4]
The Crash
The Susurluk car crash happened on 3 November 1996 at around 19:25, as a result of sabotage to the brakes of the car.[5] According to an anonymous witness, the car was reportedly travelling at nearly 180 km/h.[6]
According to an anonymous witness in the 2007 Ergenekon investigation, everyone initially survived the crash, which was precipitated by remotely disabling the brakes of the Mercedes. A three-person team came and snapped the necks of Us and Çatlı. Bucak was rescued by his guards, who also took his bag from the boot (trunk) and called Grey Wolf Haluk Kırcı.[7]
Three of the car's occupants were killed:
- Abdullah Çatlı, wanted by police for multiple murders and drug trafficking;
- Gonca Us, beauty queen, Çatlı's girlfriend
- Huseyin Kocadağ, a senior police official;
One escaped with a broken leg and fractured skull:
- Sedat Bucak an MP
Blame
The truck driver, Hasan Gökçe, was found legally responsible and sentenced to three years in jail.[8] His truck was later foreclosed after he failed to pay his taxes.[9]
Evidence
Evidence seized at the crash site indicated that Çatlı had been carrying:[10]
- apparently genuine diplomatic credentials, given by the Turkish authorities
- a government-approved weapons permit.
- a fake passport in the name of 'Mehmet Özbay'; the same alias used by Mehmet Ali Ağca.[11]
- numerous pistols, one .22 caliber Beretta with a silencer, and two submachine guns.
- two listening devices.
- a cache of drugs.
- thousands of U.S. dollars.
Susurluk Scandal
The revelation of the connections between the victims led to multiple investigations of what became known as the Susurluk scandal. Daniele Ganser writes "For weeks on end the press and the TV channels were dominated by the scandal and the newest revelations of the corrupt 'Susurluk state'. Nearly 100,000 workers marched in protest in the Turkish capital demanding the truth about the stay-behind soldiers while people on the streets in opinion polls expressed their belief that the Turkish judicial system was not working properly and that the government was corrupt, declaring that they were sick and tired of all the violence and secret operations."[12]
Susurluk car crash victims on Wikispooks
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Sedat Bucak | Survived the 1996 Susurluk car crash. |
| Huseyin Kocadağ | The former Istanbul Deputy police Chief killed in the Susurluk car crash |
| Abdullah Çatlı | A contract killer and figure in the Turkish underworld, who was killed in the 1996 Susurluk car crash. |
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References
- ↑ (HRFT 1998, p. 39)
- ↑ http://yenisafak.com.tr/Gundem/?t=11.12.2008&c=1&i=155441
- ↑ http://www.zaman.com.tr/haber.do?haberno=16842
- ↑ http://arama.hurriyet.com.tr/arsivnews.aspx?id=-502657 quote=Meanwhile, the confidential 'prosecutor's report' on Susurluk reached the conclusion that the 'Susurluk gang' was on its way to stage an assassination when it met with a road accident on Nov. 3, 1996.
- ↑ https://isgp-studies.com/2014_10_Joris_Demmink_Westerflier_Cult.php
- ↑ Hurriyet Daily News, 19 September 1997, Curtain Falls on Susurluk Tragicomedy
- ↑ http://yenisafak.com.tr/Gundem/?t=04.08.2008&i=132847
- ↑ (HRFT 1998, p. 74)
- ↑ http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/10284696.asp
- ↑ (HRFT 1998, pp. 565,566)
- ↑ Komisar, Lucy (April 1997). "Turkey's Terrorists: A CIA Legacy Lives on". The Progressive. "At the scene of the Mercedes-Benz crash, Turkish investigators found Çatli with a fake passport. 'The person on this photo, Mehmet Özbay, serves as a specialist for the police directorate and he is allowed to carry guns.' Mehmet Özbay was an alias — the very same that Mehmet Ali Ağca had on his own passport."
- ↑ 2005, Daniele Ganser, 'NATO's Secret Armies: Operation GLADIO and Terrorism in Western Europe', pp. 89-90.
