Pistol gifted by Erdoğan returned from airport

It has emerged that following the NATO Summit held in Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gifted engraved revolvers and boxes of live ammunition, custom-prepared with their names, to the state leaders attending the meeting. However, this gesture became the focus of suspicion and debate in some European countries.

It was reported that the delegation returning from Belgium opened the package presented as a gift at Melsbroek military airport, and the weapon and ammunition inside were detected upon entry into the country. It was stated that Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and his team handed the weapon over to airport police at the base near Brussels, and the revolver in question would be kept in a police safe. The incident reportedly sparked a new debate in the country regarding security protocols and official procedures.

A similar situation occurred in the UK. It was stated that Prime Minister Keir Starmer would not be able to bring the gifted weapon into his country. The revolver given to Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Rob Jetten was left at the Dutch Embassy in Ankara by decision of the diplomatic team and it was announced that it would be rendered non-functional by experts.

The revolver prepared for Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was also denied entry into the country due to Norway's strict arms import regulations. For this reason, it was noted that the gift was returned to Ankara. The Norwegian press emphasized that the weapon gifted by President Erdoğan was a Turkish-made Sarsılmaz SR 38 model and was fully functional.

The revolver given to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is also currently being held at the Swedish Embassy in Ankara. It was stated that the necessary permit processes for it to be taken to Sweden are ongoing.

It was stated that some countries have not yet made an official statement regarding these gifted weapons to the public or media. It remains unclear whether US President Donald Trump received any of these gifts.

DOCUMENTS WERE NOT SUFFICIENT

It was learned that the Turkish side had prepared export permit documents for the weapons presented to the leaders, attached them to the gifts, and also included a note confirming exemption from export restrictions. However, many countries did not find these documents sufficient due to strict regulations on arms imports in their own domestic legislation, and the gifts were not permitted to enter their borders.

Diplomatic sources stated that the content and nature of the gifts presented to the leaders have raised new security questions, particularly in Europe. Following these developments, it was reported that discussions are ongoing in various countries regarding what path will be followed for gifts given at future international meetings.

News Source: 12punto