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Vatansever Kuvvetler Güç Birliği Hareketi

Vatansever Kuvvetler Güç Birliği Hareketi

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]
Citation Linkwww.todayszaman.comToday's Zaman, 15 October 2009, Ankara court rules to merge VKGB trial with Ergenekon
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[2]
Citation Linkwww.hurriyetdailynews.comHurriyet Daily News, 5 July 2007, 12 members of 'patriotic gang' arrested
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.hurriyetdailynews.comTurkish Daily News, 10 July 2007, 'Patriotic' forces vs. crime
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[4]
Citation Linktodayszaman.comToday's Zaman, 20 May 2006, Interesting Relationships
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[5]
Citation Linktodayszaman.comToday's Zaman, 26 July 2007, Ultranationalist gang escapes prosecution
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[6]
Citation Linktodayszaman.comToday's Zaman, 23 May 2006, Security Directorate and MIT: A Retired General Heads the Gang
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[7]
Citation Linkwww.hurriyetdailynews.comHurriyet 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.'"
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[8]
Citation Linkbianet.org"Ultra-nationalist 'Ergenekon' Convicts Indicted with High Treason". Bianet. 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2013-07-31.
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[9]
Citation Linktodayszaman.comToday's Zaman, 30 August 2009, Ergenekon accused of fraud in military tenders
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[10]
Citation Linktodayszaman.comToday's Zaman, 12 July 2007, Neo-nationalistic gang members are terrorists, prosecutors say
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[11]
Citation Linktodayszaman.comToday's Zaman, 6 July 2007, Probe links former army officers to political murders
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[12]
Citation Linkwww.todayszaman.comAnkara court rules to merge VKGB trial with Ergenekon
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[13]
Citation Linkwww.hurriyetdailynews.com12 members of 'patriotic gang' arrested
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[14]
Citation Linkwww.hurriyetdailynews.com'Patriotic' forces vs. crime
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[15]
Citation Linktodayszaman.comInteresting Relationships
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[16]
Citation Linktodayszaman.comUltranationalist gang escapes prosecution
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[17]
Citation Linktodayszaman.comSecurity Directorate and MIT: A Retired General Heads the Gang
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[18]
Citation Linkwww.hurriyetdailynews.compress scanner
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[19]
Citation Linkbianet.org"Ultra-nationalist 'Ergenekon' Convicts Indicted with High Treason"
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM
[20]
Citation Linktodayszaman.comErgenekon accused of fraud in military tenders
Sep 29, 2019, 1:17 AM