Turkey: Police search air base over coup attempt

By Yusuf Koyun

ADANA, Turkey

Turkish police on Monday started a search of the 10th Air Tanker Base in Adana’s Incirlik Air Base in connection with Friday’s failed coup attempt, according to judicial sources.

Police are investigating air traffic control and radar data at the base from where a tanker aircraft which refueled warplanes involved in bombing Ankara during Friday’s coup were found to have taken off.

Speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, the sources added that the military crew which enabled the refueling of the F-16s is also under investigation. Two acting Chief Public Prosecutors and five prosecutors from Adana Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office are in charge of the investigation.

The deadly coup attempt happened late Friday when rogue elements of the Turkish military attempted to overthrow the country's democratically elected government.

At least 208 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were martyred in Istanbul and Ankara and nearly 1,500 others wounded as they protested against the coup.

The government has said the attempted coup was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through supporters within Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming a so-called 'parallel state'.

*Hale Turkes contributed to this report from Ankara.