Police detain several high-ranking Turkish military generals

In a new wave of detainments in the Ergenekon case, which is an investigation into a suspected gang known as Ergenekon that was allegedly plotting to overthrow the ruling government, several high-ranking retired military officials have been taken into custody. The new round of detainments are reported to be specifically linked to the "Balyoz" (Sledgehammer) plot, an alleged military coup plan against the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, written in 2003. Those taken into custody include Navy Cmdr. Özden Örnek, Brig. Gen. Ümit Özcan, Lt. Gen. Engin Alan, Lt. Gen. Ayhan Poyraz, Gen. Ergin Saygun and Gen. Ibrahim Fırtına.

Turkish police searched the homes of the two retired Army generals early on Monday.

The searches were made on the houses of Çetin Doğan and Süha Tanyeli in Istanbul, CNN Turk said without providing more details. Other Turkish TV channels also reported the searches but refrained from validating the veracity of the story.

Meanwhile Turkish news channels have reported that searches in locations in Ankara and Turkey are ongoing and include a search of the headquarters of the veterans help group Mehmetçik Foundation.

Political tensions between the government and its secular opponents have risen over the past year with police rounding up people alleged to have planned a coup.

/Hurriyet Daily News/