News from the pro-government side: Erdoğan's instruction to Yaşar Güler regarding the lieutenants

Following the graduation ceremony at the National Defense University Military Academy on August 30, 2024, the newly graduated lieutenants crossed their swords for the oath text in line with school tradition and chanted the slogan, "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal."

While pro-government media outlets implied that the young lieutenants were 'coup plotters,' AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had stated, "We will ensure that those involved in this matter receive the punishment they deserve. This is not a playground for those who do not know their place. We will certainly not leave our country to a field where these people who do not know their place can run wild."

Following Erdoğan's statement, an investigation was launched into the lieutenants.

Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, pointing to November 25 for the lieutenants, said, "We will make the decision at the High Disciplinary Board," while all eyes were on the High Disciplinary Board yesterday.

It was learned that the files of the lieutenants, who are being investigated with a request for dismissal, will first be sent to the Land Forces Command. It was reported that after the evaluation of the Land Forces Command, the High Disciplinary Board would set a working day to handle the files.

Hürriyet columnist Abdulkadir Selvi, known for his proximity to the government, claimed that AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan instructed Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler not to be "too harsh" regarding the lieutenants.

Selvi included the following statements in his column:

"After the statements of Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, President Erdoğan made an important assessment and spoke as follows: 'I thought that such formations and junta activities had ended in our era. Because we fought against military tutelage, we fought against coups. I thought these things were over in the Turkish Armed Forces. It turns out they are not. Their connections inside and outside have emerged. I am saddened by this. We cannot tolerate such formations in the Turkish Armed Forces. Yet, three girls were the top of their class this term. We experienced this pride. I attended the ceremonies and gave them their plaques. I chatted with them. I said these girls reflect Anatolia. But before we could fully experience this joy, the oath incident occurred.'"

After Erdoğan finished his speech, he turned to Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler and instructed him, 'Do not be too harsh.'"

"THEY ARE ENGAGING IN CERTAIN JUNTA-LIKE ACTIVITIES"

In the continuation of his column, Selvi targeted the lieutenants and noted the following:

"Would a lieutenant who is the top of his class organize a pirate oath ceremony even though he was rejected 7 times? It is clear that they have entered into certain connections. It is clear that they are engaging in certain junta-like activities. Otherwise, would journalists following the ceremony be invited and a pirate oath be taken? Would it be served to the media after it was done?"

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