Vatansever Kuvvetler Güç Birliği Hareketi (VKGB, variously translated as Union of Patriotic Forces, Association for the Union of Patriotic Forces, Power Union of Patriotic Forces etc.) is a Turkish ultranationalist group, various members of which are charged in the Ergenekon trials, after the VKGB trial was merged with the Ergenekon trials in 2009. VKGB was headed by Taner 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 former Grey Wolves as part of a new form of ultranationalism labelled "ulusalcılık" with a greater emphasis on anti-imperialism and more open to alliances with the left.[3] In 2006 Semih Tufan Gulaltay said he was considering merging his National Unity Party with the VKGB.[4] At some point the VKGB developed links with another ultranationalist group, the Kuvayı Milliye Derneği.[5]

Members include Muzaffer Tekin[6] Alparslan Arslan[7] and Fikri 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 of Hrant Dink have also been evidenced.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Today's Zaman, 15 October 2009, Ankara court rules to merge VKGB trial with Ergenekon
  2. ↑ Hurriyet Daily News, 5 July 2007, 12 members of 'patriotic gang' arrested
  3. ↑ Turkish Daily News, 10 July 2007, 'Patriotic' forces vs. crime
  4. ↑ Today's Zaman, 20 May 2006, Interesting Relationships
  5. ↑ Today's Zaman, 26 July 2007, Ultranationalist gang escapes prosecution
  6. ↑ Today's Zaman, 23 May 2006, Security Directorate and MIT: A Retired General Heads the Gang
  7. ↑ 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.'"
  8. ↑ "Ultra-nationalist 'Ergenekon' Convicts Indicted with High Treason". Bianet. 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2013-07-31.
  9. ↑ Today's Zaman, 30 August 2009, Ergenekon accused of fraud in military tenders
  10. ↑ Today's Zaman, 12 July 2007, Neo-nationalistic gang members are terrorists, prosecutors say
  11. ↑ Today's Zaman, 6 July 2007, Probe links former army officers to political murders
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