Burhanettin Bigalı

Burhanettin Bigalı (1927 – 17 September 2016) was a Turkish general; he retired in 1990. He was head of the National Intelligence Organization (1981 - 1986) and later General Commander of the Gendarmerie of Turkey (1988 - 1990).

Burhanettin Bigalı
General Commander of the Gendarmerie of Turkey
In office 23 August 1988 – 30 August 1990
Preceded by	Adnan Doğu
Succeeded by	Eşref Bitlis
Head of the National Intelligence Organization
In office 7 September 1981 – 14 August 1986[1]
Preceded by	Bülent Türker
Succeeded by	Hayri Ündül
Personal details
Born	1927 (1927) Istanbul
Died	17 September 2016 (aged 88–89)
Military service
Allegiance	Turkey
Branch/service	Turkish Army
Years of service	1948–1990
Rank	General
Unit	Infantry
Battles/wars	Korean War

He was born in 1927 in Dereköy, Çanakkale, Biga. He belongs to the Chundyshk (Цундышк) dynasty of the Circassians.^[2]

Arif Doğan has claimed in court that he founded the Gendarmerie's JITEM intelligence unit in the late 1980s on the orders of Bigalı, with the approval of the Chief of Staff and of the Interior Ministry.^[3]