Attempted assassination of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

On 14 June 1926, a plot to assassinate Mustafa Kemal Pasha, the 1st President of Turkey, was uncovered in İzmir. The assassination was planned to take place in the Kemeraltı neighbourhood of the city. However, after the telegram sent to Mustafa Kemal Pasha by İzmir Governor Kâzım Bey on 14 June, the plan was unearthed and Mustafa Kemal postponed his visit to İzmir.[1] In the letter written by Şevki of Crete to the Governorship of İzmir on 15 June 1926, the names of perpetrators were included. After a while, four people were arrested and they confessed their crimes. The plot originated with a former deputy who had opposed the abolition of the Caliphate. Investigation shifted from an inquiry into the planners to an investigation ostensibly to uncover subversive activities but in truth used to undermine those disagreeing with Atatürk's cultural revolution. The sweeping investigation brought a number of political activists before the tribunal, including Karabekir, the leader of PRP. A number of surviving leaders of the Committee of Union and Progress, who were at best second-rank in the Turkish movement, including Cavid, Ahmed Şükrü, and Ismail Canbulat, were found guilty of treason and hanged.[2] The investigations found a link between the members of the PRP and the Sheikh Said Rebellion.[3] The PRP was dissolved following the outcomes of the trial. The pattern of organized opposition, however, was broken. This action was the only broad political purge during Atatürk's presidency. Atatürk's statement, "My mortal body will turn into dust, but the Republic of Turkey will last forever," was regarded as a will after the assassination attempt.[4]

The letter written by Şevki of Crete which uncovered the plot