A mother's prayer for a victim of the conspiracy

Naval Staff Colonel Murat Özenalp, who lost his life in the Balyoz and Ergenekon conspiracies targeting the Turkish Armed Forces, was commemorated at his graveside on the 12th anniversary of his death.

The memorial ceremony held at his grave in Karşıyaka Cemetery for Özenalp, who suffered a brain hemorrhage in front of his children Batu and Duru while imprisoned on fabricated and trumped-up evidence, was attended by his mother Samiye Özenalp, his wife Sema Özenalp, and his son Batu, as well as TESUD President retired Air Lieutenant General Erdoğan Karakuş, CHP Presidential Candidate Office National Defense Policy Board Chairman retired Vice Admiral Atilla Kezek, and his fellow officers.

Following a short speech by TESUD President Erdoğan Karakuş after mother Samiye Özenalp herself recited the Yasin-i Şerif and prayed for her late son, all our martyrs, and Atatürk, Karakuş recalled Atatürk's warning: "The enemy attacking the Turkish Nation first wants to humiliate the Turkish officer. To destroy the army, one must necessarily ruin and discredit the officers." He emphasized that exactly 980 officers and 6 non-commissioned officers were targeted in the conspiracies. Stating that the troubles directed at the Turkish soldier have not ended and are continuing, Karakuş said, "I believe that the sagacity of our nation will overcome every danger."

Those attending the memorial ceremony for the late Murat Özenalp also visited the grave of Teacher Lieutenant Colonel Ali Tatar, who ended his own life in 2009 to "rebel against this injustice and be a glimmer of light in this darkness" after saying, "One cannot show respect in the name of law to a process of lawlessness. If you continue this way, you will find neither an army to command, nor a republic to live in, nor a country to govern," when he was sought to be arrested for a second time within the scope of the Assassination of Admirals investigation, another conspiracy.

Müyesser YILDIZ

May 1, 2026