Testimony of lieutenant suspended at Tuzla Infantry School revealed! 'We reported this anti-Atatürk structure to our superiors, but...'

Sözcü columnist Aytunç Erkin has obtained the testimony of another lieutenant who was questioned regarding the events at the Tuzla Infantry School, which began when a lieutenant did not wear an Atatürk photograph on his lapel on November 10.

The lieutenant, who faces accusations of “intentional injury, threats, insults, and unlawful disclosure or acquisition of personal data,” stated the following in his testimony:

“... On November 13, 2023, there was a crowd in room number 405. I entered the room with the intention of calming the situation and learning what was happening. There was an argument going on when I entered. Voices had been raised. I told my friends to calm down. Later, I spoke with Infantry Lieutenant M.F.Ş. I asked him where his Atatürk photograph was, and he told me he had removed it.

When he took it out of his pocket, the photograph of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was crumpled. I reacted and asked, ‘Why is this photograph in this condition?’ He said, ‘I had put it in my pocket, it got crumpled.’

I told him that this photograph should be placed properly in a chest pocket, not in a trouser pocket.

There was no threat, insult, or assault. Later, I ensured that the friends in the room calmed down and told them to clear the ward.

Although we reported who these individuals were, what their intentions were, and that they were against the Republic and Atatürk since our time at the Military Academy, no action was taken. These individuals are currently walking among us, bold enough to openly declare that they are against the Republic and do not respect Atatürk.”