Turkish defense minister to press charges against CHP MP over claims of meeting with coup figure

Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Işık is preparing to press legal charges against main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul deputy Eren Erdem after the latter claimed that the minister met with a key figure in Turkey's failed July 2016 coup attempt, Adil Öksüz, just a day before the putsch.

The CHP deputy claimed on April 24 that the Turkish minister met with Öksüz on July 14, 2016, adding that "visual records of this meeting existed" and "the National Intelligence Agency (MİT) had information as to who has these records." 

The deputy made the comments on the TV program "Pusula" broadcasted by Tele1 TV channel.

Upon Erdem's remarks, the press office of the Defense Ministry issued a statement on April 25, saying that the "legal process has been launched against (CHP) Istanbul deputy Eren Erdem's raving claims against Defense Minister Fikrı Işık, which have nothing to do with the facts."

Öksüz was caught while trying to escape from the Akıncı Air Base in Ankara on the night of July 15, 2016, but he was released a short while later by a court in the Sincan district. He has been at large since then. 

It was previously revealed that Öksüz met high-level soldiers in Ankara while preparing for the coup.

Earlier reports said Öksüz was the "Air Force imam" of the Fethullah Gülenist Terror Organization (FETÖ). 

While the operation to apprehend Öksüz is continuing, authorities are conducting legal and administrative investigations. 

The Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) is investigating members of the judiciary responsible for releasing him, while also probing personnel in the Sincan Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Interior Ministry.