Gülenists sabotaged health of army pilots they wanted to replace: Indictment

Followers of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen sabotaged the health of pilots in the army by giving them unnecessary heart pills, according to a prosecutor's indictment regarding Gülenist activities at the Gülhane Military Hospital (GATA).

The indictment included the testimonies of pilots who said they were prescribed high blood pressure medication by military doctor members of the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), even though they did not suffer from health issues. 

According to the indictment prepared by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office that includes 104 suspects, the doctors carried out these measures in an attempt to eliminate and replace pilots who were not part of the Gülen movement, which is widely believed to have orchestrated the July 15, 2016 coup attempt. 

One pilot, identified only as Gürhan T., said he was given a high blood pressure medicine but did not use it after realizing that it could dangerously enlarge his heart veins. 

"Doctor Şevket Balta told me to use a medicine for two months and come back for check-ups. I bought the medicine but when I read the prospectus I saw that it was for high blood pressure so I never used it," said Gürhan T, whose testimony was taken as a victim. 

Another pilot, identified only as Uğur K., also gave Balta's name and said his flights were prevented due to the doctor's "high blood pressure" diagnosis.

"After I was given a two-month rest, my flights were canceled due to the same diagnosis," he said, adding that he had to leave the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in February 2016 due to the "injustices he suffered from." 

According to the indictment, cardiology doctor Balta applied the same procedure in order to eliminate individuals...