Turkish nationalist organization
Vatansever Kuvvetler Güç Birliği Hareketi (VKGB, variously translated asUnion of Patriotic Forces,Association for the Union of Patriotic Forces,Power Union of Patriotic Forces etc.) was a Turkishultranationalist group, various members of which are charged in theErgenekon trials, after the VKGB trial was merged with the Ergenekon trials in 2009. VKGB was headed byTaner Ünal.[1] At the time of the arrest of the VKGB leadership in mid-2007, it was estimated to have 2-3000 members.[2] It had been founded in April 2005 by formerGrey Wolves as part of a new form of ultranationalism labelled "ulusalcılık" with a greater emphasis onanti-imperialism and more open to alliances with the left.[3] In 2006Semih Tufan Gulaltay said he was considering merging hisNational Unity Party with the VKGB.[4] At some point the VKGB developed links with another ultranationalist group, theKuvayı Milliye Derneği.[5]
Members includeMuzaffer Tekin[6]Alparslan Arslan[7] andFikri Karadağ.[8]
Prosecutors charged members of the group with rigging military procurement tenders,[9] and that the group carried out military training with a view to carrying out terrorist attacks.[10] Links with the assassination ofHrant Dink have also been evidenced.[11]
- ^Today's Zaman, 15 October 2009,Ankara court rules to merge VKGB trial with Ergenekon
- ^Hurriyet Daily News, 5 July 2007,12 members of 'patriotic gang' arrested
- ^Turkish Daily News, 10 July 2007,'Patriotic' forces vs. crime
- ^Today's Zaman, 20 May 2006,Interesting Relationships
- ^Today's Zaman, 26 July 2007,Ultranationalist gang escapes prosecution
- ^Today's Zaman, 23 May 2006,Security Directorate and MIT: A Retired General Heads the Gang
- ^Hurriyet Daily News, 24 May 2006,press scanner. Quote: "In direct opposition to Arslan's denial of any connections with former Lt. Col. Muzaffer Tekin, the imprisoned lawyer's father, Idris Arslan, said: 'My son changed a lot after meeting Muzaffer Tekin. He began to go back and forth, attending Patriotic Forces Strength Union meetings with him. I spoke to his friends; my son was under Tekin's control, and was being directed by him. I think he committed this act under threat. I used to hear from my son's circle of friends that Tekin had connections to a retired-high level member of the military.'"
- ^"Ultra-nationalist 'Ergenekon' Convicts Indicted with High Treason".Bianet. 2008-07-25. Retrieved2013-07-31.
- ^Today's Zaman, 30 August 2009,Ergenekon accused of fraud in military tenders
- ^Today's Zaman, 12 July 2007,Neo-nationalistic gang members are terrorists, prosecutors say
- ^Today's Zaman, 6 July 2007,Probe links former army officers to political murders
