West Working Group

The Batı Çalışma Grubu (BÇG), an alleged clandestine group within the Turkish military linked to the Ergenekon organization, was reportedly established in 1997 by General Çevik Bir under orders from his superior, İsmail Hakkı Karadayı. The group aimed to safeguard Turkey's secularism by monitoring individuals deemed threats, particularly those associated with ethnic background, religious affiliation, or political leanings. It collected data on millions of people and operated offices within the military and Higher Education Board (YÖK). Active until at least May 2009, the BÇG was implicated in various coup-related activities, including the "Sledgehammer" plan and Operation Cage Action Plan.

In 2012, several retired generals alleged to be BÇG leaders were arrested on charges of conspiracy, including plotting against former Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The group's activities also extended to influencing decisions by institutions like the Turkish Army Pension Fund (OYAK). Despite attempts to access records from a key 1997 meeting, efforts were blocked.

The BÇG's operations and ties to broader military and political conspiracies have been central to ongoing investigations, with trials continuing to unfold.