Former Staff Col. Bilal Akyüz told an Ankara court that he was tricked into going to Akıncı Air Base after being assigned as a liaison officer for what he was told was a secret counterterrorism operation.
Akyüz said he went to the base to obtain information and make preparations, but realized after arriving that the situation did not resemble a routine military operation. He denied directing aircraft, issuing orders or participating in the group prosecutors identified as the Peace at Home Council.
He said he knew only five of the 38 people listed as members of the alleged council and rejected handwritten notes reportedly Peace at Home Council.
He said he knew only five of the 38 people listed as members found in his vehicle, saying they had been planted.
“The indictment has placed everything on me,” Akyüz said.
Akyüz said he understood that a coup attempt was underway only after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan appeared on television at around 12:30 a.m. He remained inside because the base gates were guarded, he said.
Asked who organized the coup attempt, Akyüz replied: “You will determine that. I do not know who organized it or who carried it out.”
