**Turkish Arrest Warrant Issued for Retired Colonel in Cyprus**
Turkish authorities have issued an arrest warrant for retired colonel Hasan Atilla Ugur, who has been located in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus. This action is part of a renewed investigation into the death of Kasif Kozinoglu, a former intelligence officer, who died in a Silivri prison in 2011. Ugur is one of four individuals named in detention warrants issued by the Silivri chief public prosecutor's office.
The other three suspects include Hasan Ataman Yildirim, a fellow inmate of Kozinoglu, as well as former Silivri chief prosecutor Ali Isgoren and former prison prosecutor Necip Dogan. These three were taken into custody during operations conducted in Istanbul and Ankara as part of the investigation.
Kozinoglu, who had previously served with Turkey’s national intelligence organization (MIT), died on November 12, 2011, while being held under the controversial Ergenekon investigation. This investigation alleged the existence of a clandestine ultra-nationalist faction within the military and state apparatus that was purportedly plotting to overthrow the government. Following his death, Kozinoglu's sentence was overturned on appeal, and he was acquitted in a retrial in 2019. He later became the deputy chairman of Turkey’s Patriotic party (VP).
The official cause of Kozinoglu's death was recorded as a heart attack, but his family contested this finding, asserting that he had no prior history of heart problems. Ugur, who shared a cell with Kozinoglu during the Ergenekon trial, provided an account to Turkish media regarding the events leading up to Kozinoglu's death. He stated that they had discussed trial preparations shortly before Kozinoglu collapsed after exercising and showering.
Ugur also revealed that Kozinoglu had expressed concerns about threats to his life from a prison faction linked to Fethullah Gülen, a rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In light of the renewed investigation, Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced that the case had been reopened following a review that overturned an earlier decision to close the inquiry.
As part of the ongoing investigation, an exhumation order has been issued for Kozinoglu’s remains. Samples from his grave are to be examined to determine whether he had been administered any medication while in custody.
Legal proceedings are currently underway to locate and extradite Ugur from northern Cyprus back to Turkey, as Turkish authorities seek to further investigate the circumstances surrounding Kozinoglu's death. The case has garnered attention due to its implications regarding the treatment of prisoners and the political tensions surrounding the Ergenekon investigation.
The developments in this case highlight the complexities of Turkey's legal and political landscape, particularly in relation to historical events that continue to resonate within the country. As investigations proceed, the focus will remain on uncovering the truth behind Kozinoglu's death and the actions of those involved during his imprisonment.