He will go to the military at 62

After retiring from Germany and settling in Turkey, Ali Osman Metan learned he was a military draft evader during a routine traffic stop after obtaining dual citizenship. The 62-year-old Metan will obtain a medical report to determine his military status.

RETURNED TO TURKEY FROM GERMANY

Ali Osman Metan left Ordu for Germany in 1980 at the age of 17 and received his education in Duisburg. He later lived in Germany for many years, working as a financial advisor. Metan, who became a German citizen in 1988, retired in 2015 and returned to Turkey, settling in the Fatsa district.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION ACCEPTED

Metan applied for Turkish citizenship in 2024, and his dual citizenship application was approved in July. A father of 3 and grandfather of 5, Metan had planned to continue his life in Turkey more peacefully after this date.

MILITARY STATUS REVEALED DURING A TRAFFIC STOP

However, about a month ago, while passing through a traffic checkpoint in his car, Metan appeared as a military draft evader during a gendarmerie identity check, despite being well past the age for military service. After the shock he experienced during the traffic stop, Metan immediately applied to the military recruitment office.

As a result of the procedures at the recruitment office, Metan was directed to Ordu State Hospital. There, he was told he needed to appear before a medical board and learned that a decision on whether he is fit for military service would be made following his medical report. Metan described the situation with these words:

"I WILL DECIDE BASED ON MY HEALTH STATUS"

"My military status will be clarified with a medical report. I don't know if I will go to the military or not anymore. It is not clear if my health condition will allow it. Hopefully, if my health permits, I will go to the military. I will perform my duty and return."