Non-commissioned officer penalized for 'disobedience' after giving water to children in Hatay

The 'water distribution investigation' involving village children in Hatay took place at the beginning of the summer. Soldiers tasked with refueling from a border station in the Altınözü district distributed bottled water to children they encountered on a village road while returning. However, the incident was recorded by the company commander, and a disciplinary process was initiated on the grounds of 'giving water to children.'

COMMANDER WITNESSED IT FROM HIS VEHICLE

According to the investigation file, the specialist sergeants who came to the Karbeyaz Border Station for refueling gave some of the water they received from the depot to children near the Yolağzı village. At that moment, the company commander, a first lieutenant, witnessed the situation while passing through the same route and initiated the process by having a report filed. The soldiers, who initially stated that 'the water fell,' later confessed that they had given it to the children.

DISCIPLINARY BOARD INTERVENED

Following the incident, the 3rd Border Battalion Command opened a disciplinary investigation on June 19, 2025. Statements were taken from the private responsible for the depot, two specialist sergeants, and other personnel. The soldiers were asked 'why they unloaded 5-6 cases (35-40 bottles) of water.' The soldiers replied that 'the children were overwhelmed by the heat' and that they 'gave the water for humanitarian reasons.'

PENALTY ISSUED TO THE NCO

At the end of the investigation, the station's non-commissioned officer (NCO) was given a salary deduction penalty for 'disobedience' on the grounds that he 'did not supervise the refueling and did not prevent the removal of materials from the depot.' The decision stated that the depot keys should have been with the NCO, but the incident occurred because they were not. The penalty was finalized on August 21, 2025.

ALLEGATION OF 'FACILITATING EMBEZZLEMENT OR EXTORTION'

The 10th Border Brigade Command launched a preliminary investigation into the incident on August 14. As a result of the investigation, a report was prepared stating that 'permission to investigate' could be granted under the relevant article of the Turkish Penal Code, on the grounds that the NCO neglected his duty and 'turned a blind eye to the distribution of materials from the depots.' With the decision taken on August 25, the path was cleared for a prosecutor's investigation into the NCO.

LAWYERS' OBJECTION

The NCO's lawyers appealed the penalty by applying to the Ankara Regional Administrative Court on September 5. In the petition, it was argued that the water was not embezzled property, that similar practices had been carried out in the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces) before, and that 'giving water for humanitarian reasons cannot be considered a crime.' The lawyers stated, 'The penalty is far from humane and does not align with the traditions of the TSK.'

CASE TAKEN TO COURT

The lawyers emphasized that the penalty was arbitrary and that their client had numerous letters of commendation in his service record. The petition, which stated, 'Soldiers who distribute water to children should be commended instead of punished,' requested the revocation of the investigation permit. The Ankara Regional Administrative Court will evaluate the application.

News Source: 12punto