TSK command echelon appeared in the same frame as the HÜDA PAR leader: Statement from CHP regarding the controversial photo

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited the Seljuk cemetery in Ahlat on the anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert.

Erdoğan was accompanied by Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, BBP Chairman Mustafa Destici, and HÜDA PAR Chairman Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu.

Yankı Bağcıoğlu, the CHP Deputy Chairman responsible for the Ministry of National Defense, made a statement regarding the fact that force commanders appeared in the same frame as HÜDA PAR leader Yapıcıoğlu, who is known for his proximity to Hezbollah.

“THEY MUST AVOID PHOTOS THAT COULD BECOME POLITICAL POLEMICS”

According to the report by Sözcü, Bağcıoğlu stated that while it is natural for the President and the Minister of National Defense to be photographed with force commanders as they are their direct superiors, it is not appropriate for force commanders to be photographed in the same frame with leaders of political parties. He spoke as follows:

“The President and the Minister of National Defense are the direct superiors of the force commanders; there is nothing more natural than being photographed with them. But here, it is not about HÜDA PAR; I do not think it is appropriate to provide such political photos with leaders of party A, B, or C. I cannot speak as to whether the commanders were uncomfortable with the photo frame. But ultimately, it is not appropriate for them to pose for a photo with a political party leader other than their own superiors. First and foremost, their superiors should not allow photos that create such a political image. Therefore, their superiors should be the first to consider this. I believe they must avoid photos that could become political polemics or portray the military within politics. We have seen this in Supreme Military Council decisions before. Even if they are in the minority, the promotion of some personnel close to the ruling party creates the thought among other personnel that 'if I am close to members of the ruling party, perhaps there could be professional advancement.' This pushes personnel toward wrong directions, and this situation is the greatest danger for the armed forces."

“IT WOULD NOT BE RIGHT IF POLITICAL PARTIES GET INVOLVED”

Stating that the politicization of the army is the greatest danger, Bağcıoğlu said, “When we think about the July 15 coup attempt and go further back to the Balkan Wars, the greatest danger is the politicization of the army; one must be sensitive about this, even with symbols. Here, it is not about HÜDA PAR, CHP, DEM, or MHP; what is important is that there is nothing more natural than generals and admirals being photographed through their direct superiors. But if political parties get involved in this, it would not be right. Recently, a family photo was taken at the handover ceremony of the Piri Reis submarine. In that photo, there is the President, force commanders, Selçuk Bayraktar, former AKP deputies, and a former AKP district head. There are also current AKP deputies; this, alongside the politicization of the army we mentioned earlier, is an indicator of the National Defense Industry and defense industry activities being politicized as if by a single party” he stated.