CHP issues sharp reaction to disciplinary process against lieutenants: 'This is an attack on Turkey's future'

The disciplinary process initiated against young lieutenants who successfully graduated from the Military Academy has sparked a major reaction within the Republican People's Party (CHP).

The lieutenants, who are set to be referred to the High Disciplinary Board on November 25, are being accused for chanting the slogan "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" and raising their swords during the oath-taking ceremony. The notifications sent to the lieutenants state that they are being accused of "engaging in actions that damage the reputation of the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces)."

'A NEW OPERATION AGAINST THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES'

CHP Deputy Chairman responsible for National Defense Policies, Yankı Bağcıoğlu, emphasized in his statement regarding the developments that this disciplinary process is an operation against the Turkish Armed Forces. Bağcıoğlu said, "As the Republican People's Party, we are following the systematic efforts to discredit the Turkish Armed Forces and its fundamental values with great concern."

Bağcıoğlu stated that the words spoken by the young lieutenants at the oath-taking ceremony expressed their loyalty to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, and added, "While such initiatives may appear to target only individuals, in essence, they target the reputation of our army and our state structure based on Atatürk's principles."

CLAIMS ARE BASELESS

Bağcıoğlu argued that the claims cited as grounds for the disciplinary process are unfounded and baseless. He noted that the oath text used in the Turkish Armed Forces between 1995 and 2023 was removed from the directive in 2023 without any valid reason. Furthermore, he emphasized that no notification prohibiting the recitation of the text was issued to the lieutenants.

Bağcıoğlu said, "The text expresses loyalty to Atatürk's principles and constitutional values. However, under Article 20 of Law No. 6413, these lieutenants have been faced with baseless accusations such as 'engaging in behavior that hinders service' and 'damaging the reputation of the state and the TSK'."

'THIS IS A BADGE OF PATRIOTISM'

CHP's Bağcıoğlu stated that the lieutenants expressing their loyalty to Atatürk is not a disciplinary offense, but rather a badge of patriotism. Bağcıoğlu remarked, "At the point reached today, this loyalty is being openly punished. This situation is an attack not only on those lieutenants but also on the founding values of the Republic of Turkey and the common conscience of our nation."

'IT IS NOT JUST THE LIEUTENANTS BEING THREATENED, BUT THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES...'

Stating that what is happening goes beyond a mere individual disciplinary matter, Bağcıoğlu said, "As we have seen before in the conspiracy cases, such processes are not about justice, but about political calculations. This mentality that targets our lieutenants today will tomorrow become a threat to all members and the institutional structure of our army."

Pointing out that the Turkish Armed Forces are the guarantor of national unity and independence beyond protecting the country's borders, Bağcıoğlu said, "Targeting members of an army founded by Atatürk simply because they expressed their loyalty to Atatürk is a clear threat to the fundamental values and security of this country."

'WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEFEND THE REPUBLIC'S FUNDAMENTAL VALUES'

Bağcıoğlu stated that as the Republican People's Party, they will continue to stand against any effort targeting the Turkish Armed Forces. Saying, "This issue is not just about young lieutenants, it is a matter concerning the future of the Republic of Turkey," Bağcıoğlu added, "Justice will surely be served sooner or later. History has shown that those who stand against Atatürk's values and the common will of our nation have always lost," affirming that the CHP will continue to defend the Republic, its army, and Atatürk's legacy.