Turkey says "Welcome back" to Metin Kaplan. From AP, with thanks to Jeffrey Imm:
A court found an Islamic terrorist guilty of planning to crash an airplane into the mausoleum of Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and sentenced him to life in prison.The Istanbul court convicted Metin Kaplan of charges of attempting "to overturn the constitutional order", a charge that amounts to treason, and sentenced him to life with no possibility for parole.
Kaplan, who has said that he opposes the Turkish secular state but denies planning any terrorist acts, will appeal the ruling, his lawyer Husnu Tuna said Monday.
Kaplan lived in Cologne, Germany, until he was extradited to Turkey in October 2004. His group, the Caliphate State, calls for the overthrow of Turkey's secular government and its replacement with an Islamic state. The group has been outlawed in Germany and Turkey.
Let's start a JW/DW betting pool:
How long will this guy REALLY serve in jail?
I bet 3 years, 2 months.
The winner gets a lifetime supply of "Gotcha".
(Unless his appeal overturns the entire ruling, in which case, he will get off with "time served" and no retrial.)
They like to play tough for the Western press ("No possibility of parole!"), then quietly release the prisoners once the spotlight moves on to Jennifer Aniston's newest boyfriend (or hairstyle), smugly realizing that "follow-up" for these kinds of convicts, in the mainstream press, is nearly nil.
I don't know about that, Big Sleep.
Turkey might forgive Metin Kaplan for planning the overthrow of the government - but it would never forgive him for planning to destroy Ataturk's Mausoleum!
I was recently in Ankara but missed the opportunity to visit the Mausoleum. I understand though from others who did visit that it's very very impressive. I've no doubt that the Turks revere this spot just as they revere Ataturk's memory.
In Turkey it's still possible to be jailed for criticizing Ataturk (unless EU pressures to improve human rights are having their effect) - 6 months easily for a mild criticism. It's mandatory I believe to hang his picture in public buildings, his giant image is everywhere (and I do mean everywhere), schools are full of references to him (even the kindergartens!). The cult of Ataturk is thriving in spite of the fact that he insisted on the secularization of government for this deeply Islamic country. Such was the power of his personality and the legacy he left!
It's fortunate for the Turks that they've not yet had to choose between honouring Ataturk's teachings or supporting political Islam. So far the system has survived, but some see the end in sight.
Anyone know Kaplan's family history? Were his ancestors invovled with Sabbatai Sevi perhaps?
Kaplan's lawyer's last name is named Tuna. There must be a good joke in that somewhere.
MJ:
Kepha might be able to enlighten you on Kaplan's family history.
waterdragon52
Thank-you!
[quote]Anyone know Kaplan's family history? Were his ancestors invovled with Sabbatai Sevi perhaps?
Kaplan's lawyer's last name is named Tuna. There must be a good joke in that somewhere.
Posted by: MJ[/quote]
Kaplan, sounds like the tuna would go well on a bagel.
How strange a name for a Turkish Muslim.
Just remembered when the Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492, The Ottomans invited them in, to replace the dwindling population of Serbs, a consequence of their devirshme or blood levy.
The Ottomans needed to replenish their rayahs and their tax (Jizyah) base.
He had a good run in Germany: For years and years he screwed his followers out of 'donations' in the millions while collecting hundreds of thousands in welfare from the German social services for his (who knows how many) children!
He was then, what 'Sheik' Al Hilali is in Australia today:
A lying, conniving, hateful Jihadi who follows the scriptures of the Koran. And those scriptures are clear about Jihad, conquest & booty, genocide and terror against infidels.
One down, temporarily. Not enough to bring out the Champagne!
"His group, the Caliphate State, calls for the overthrow of Turkey's secular government and its replacement with an Islamic state."
Funny.. didn't Ergodan beat him to the punch?
Giaour wrote,
"Kaplan, sounds like the tuna would go well on a bagel."
Wrong fish. Lox ( and cream cheese ) on a bagel,yes, yes, yes. Tuna? I don't know...sounds like something Mickey D's might try- "McTuna"?
Tuna is a fairly common name in Turkey and although most Turkish names have meanings, I can't find the meaning for this one - but I'm sure it's not "tuna" as we know it. And Kaplan means "tiger" - just some more food for thought!
Kaplan is the Turkish word for 'tiger' and Tuna is the Turkish name for the Danube River. Similarity to the Jewish last name and the fish are coincidental. FYI!
father of fang & Jen
Thanks for the enlightenment. Very interesting!
Please kill him