President Erdoğan's striking statement on the importance of law: 'We will show no mercy'

Highlights from Erdoğan's statements at the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy Graduation Ceremony are as follows:

I send my love to all your heroic colleagues and all our security forces serving across our homeland and at sea. I am pleased to witness the excitement and joy of our students and their families.

I congratulate each of our children individually. I thank your instructors and commanders who supported you throughout your education. I express my gratitude to your families who raised you with sacrifice.

Today, we are experiencing the happiness of graduating 868 officers, including 774 men, 82 women, and 12 guests, as well as 3 thousand 34 male and 215 female non-commissioned officer students. We are sending off 4 thousand 117 of our children in different branches, nationalities, and ranks to their new duty stations.

75 of our students from friendly and allied countries have completed their training and returned to their countries. We see that these brothers and sisters have reached very good positions. I believe that our Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Organization will become even stronger.

Each of you is performing a special duty on behalf of the nation. When I see you, I see the trust of our noble nation, which raises its hands to the sky and prays for you. You are not soldiers of an ordinary profession, but of a homeland duty with a heavy burden.

"WE WILL SHOW NO MERCY TO THOSE WHO STEP OUTSIDE THE LAW"

You are the noble representatives of the state consciousness that has become legendary in this sacred homeland, for which many lives have been given for a thousand years. I congratulate each of you and kiss your foreheads one by one. If Turkey can display a brave and conscientious stance in the world today, the reason for this is the success it has achieved in the field of security over 22 years.

We have achieved historic successes in the fight against the terrorist organization. There will absolutely be no turning back from this. We have no problem with anyone who complies with the law and regulations. But we will show no mercy to those who step outside the law.

"WE WILL FIGHT WITH DETERMINATION"

We will not show tolerance to those who threaten the peace of our citizens. We will not give any leeway to mafias, gangs, human traffickers, or terrorists. Terrorism will be eliminated at its source. We cannot allow a perception of impunity to take root in society.

My request from you is that you never let the citizens cry out, 'Where is the state?' You will be by the citizens' side quickly in their difficult moments and make them feel the power of the state. We will fight with determination until we remove terrorism as a source of threat to our country. We will not show tolerance to those who see themselves as above the state.

Turkey is the common home of all 85 million. You will share the troubles of our people and be one with the citizens. You have great responsibilities in this struggle. You will stand against treacherous ambitions like mountain ranges.

I want you to perform your responsibilities in the best way possible. Just as you make your families and commanders proud today, you will be a source of trust for our nation with your successes. I believe that you will be the continuation of the struggle that Gazi Mustafa Kemal waged with our Mehmed at Çanakkale.

I commemorate Eren Bülbül and Ferhat Gedik with mercy. I pray to God for mercy upon all our martyrs who gave their lives to ensure the survival of our state.