Memduh Ünlütürk, Turkish general (b. 1913)

Memduh Ünlütürk (1913 – 7 April 1991) was a prominent Turkish general whose career and ultimate demise became deeply intertwined with some of the most controversial aspects of Turkey's modern political history. His life spanned a period of significant political upheaval and military interventions in the country, marked by Cold War anxieties and internal ideological struggles. Ünlütürk is particularly associated with the shadowy operations of the **Counter-Guerrilla**, an alleged 'stay-behind' paramilitary organization, and the infamous **Ziverbey interrogations** that followed the 1971 military memorandum.

The **1971 military memorandum**, often referred to as the "coup by memorandum," was a pivotal moment where the military issued an ultimatum, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Süleyman Demirel’s government. In the climate of heightened political tension and the military's crackdown on perceived threats, particularly from the left, the **Ziverbey Mansion** in Istanbul became notorious. This site was reportedly used for harsh interrogations, often involving torture, of suspected communists and left-wing activists. General Ünlütürk's alleged involvement or command during these anti-communist interrogations firmly placed him as a figure representing the state's more repressive face during that era.

Tragically, General Ünlütürk's life came to an abrupt end on 7 April 1991, when he was assassinated at his home in Istanbul. The responsibility for his death was claimed by **Devrimci Sol (Dev Sol)**, a radical left-wing revolutionary organization known for its anti-state and anti-imperialist stance, and its history of targeted assassinations against figures perceived as symbols of state repression or collaborators. The assassination, occurring two decades after the Ziverbey events, fueled various theories. A prominent suggestion that emerged was that Ünlütürk was silenced to protect sensitive secrets of the Turkish "deep state"—a term used to describe an alleged clandestine network within the state apparatus involving elements of the military, intelligence, and organized crime, purportedly operating outside democratic controls for certain national interests. Adding another layer of complexity to this narrative, Dev-Sol, whose political successor is the **DHKP/C (Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front)**, has paradoxically been accused in some circles of having links to the very **Ergenekon organization**—an alleged ultra-nationalist deep state network—despite their diametrically opposed ideologies. Such accusations often hint at broader conspiracy theories regarding the manipulation of political violence.

The name Memduh Ünlütürk resurfaced prominently years later, long after his death, in connection with the burgeoning narrative around the **Ergenekon organization**. The first individual to publicly speak about the existence of such a shadowy entity was **Erol Mütercimler**, a retired naval officer and author, who made these revelations in 1997. Mütercimler asserted that he had learned about the original organization's existence directly from none other than retired General Memduh Ünlütürk himself. According to Mütercimler, General Ünlütürk had conveyed that Ergenekon was initially founded with the significant backing and support of the United States' **Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)** and the **Pentagon**. This revelation instantly connected Ergenekon to the broader Cold War context of "stay-behind" networks, often referred to as **Operation Gladio** in Europe, which were allegedly established by NATO member states with U.S. support to resist a potential Soviet invasion or communist takeover. Mütercimler's assertions, linking a high-ranking Turkish general to the alleged foreign origins of such a deep state structure, were explosive. Interestingly, during the extensive and controversial **Ergenekon investigation** that swept through Turkey years later, Erol Mütercimler was himself briefly detained for questioning, a testament to the intricate and often self-referential nature of the deep state narratives he helped bring to light. He was subsequently released, but his role in unveiling this alleged network, drawing on conversations with Ünlütürk, remained a crucial element in the public understanding of Ergenekon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Memduh Ünlütürk's primary significance?
Memduh Ünlütürk was a Turkish general known for his alleged involvement with the Counter-Guerrilla and the controversial Ziverbey interrogations following the 1971 military memorandum. He also became a key posthumous figure in the revelations concerning the alleged Ergenekon deep state organization.
What was the Counter-Guerrilla?
The Counter-Guerrilla was an alleged clandestine 'stay-behind' paramilitary organization in Turkey, believed to be part of NATO's Operation Gladio networks during the Cold War. Its purpose was ostensibly to counter potential communist insurrections or Soviet invasions, often associated with covert operations and the "deep state."
What were the Ziverbey interrogations?
The Ziverbey interrogations refer to a period following the 1971 military memorandum where a mansion in Istanbul, known as Ziverbey, was allegedly used by the military for the interrogation and torture of suspected left-wing activists and communists. General Ünlütürk was reportedly associated with these operations.
Who assassinated Memduh Ünlütürk?
Memduh Ünlütürk was assassinated on 7 April 1991 at his Istanbul home by members of the left-wing revolutionary group Devrimci Sol (Dev Sol).
What is the "deep state" in the context of Turkey?
The "deep state" in Turkey is a concept describing an alleged network of influential anti-democratic groups within the government, including elements from the military, intelligence services, and sometimes organized crime, that purportedly manipulate political processes and maintain certain national interests, often through covert or extra-legal means.
How is Memduh Ünlütürk connected to the Ergenekon organization?
According to retired naval officer Erol Mütercimler, Memduh Ünlütürk was the original source who informed him about the existence of the Ergenekon organization in 1997. Ünlütürk allegedly told Mütercimler that Ergenekon was founded with the support of the CIA and the Pentagon.
What was the Ergenekon investigation?
The Ergenekon investigation was a highly publicized and controversial legal process in Turkey, beginning in 2007, that targeted an alleged clandestine ultra-nationalist organization accused of plotting to overthrow the government and orchestrating various destabilizing acts. Many prominent military officers, journalists, and politicians were detained and tried, though most convictions were later overturned or the cases dropped.