UN 'SADAT' report: 'It is impossible not to be concerned for our country'

A new development has emerged regarding the UN report alleging that SADAT violated the embargo in Libya by training 5,000 Syrians in the country.

In his column today, Saygı Öztürk pointed out that the UN's 548-page report from 2021 and 289-page report from 2023 provided details on the dates and the specific transport vehicles used by Turkey to violate the arms embargo.

'IF THEY HAD REACHED A SERIOUS CONCLUSION, THEY WOULD HAVE IMPOSED SANCTIONS'

Speaking to Öztürk regarding the United Nations report, SADAT Chairman of the Board Melih Tanrıverdi said the following:

“We were asked to respond to the report within 30 days. We replied, ‘We have no such activity in Libya.’ A professor and a website were cited as sources, and following our response, the UN stated, ‘Although SADAT denies the allegations, it is believed that SADAT is operating in Libya.’ If they wanted to, they could freeze assets or impose travel bans. If they had reached a serious conclusion, they would have imposed sanctions on us. For example, they had reached information and documents regarding the WAGNER Group (a Russian government-linked mercenary group). Our company is developing significant business in Africa and the Middle East. They are using the UN. We are stepping on their toes, which is why they are trying to smear us. We have had no activity in Libya. If we had, they would have documented and published it, just as they did with WAGNER.”

'IT IS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO BE CONCERNED FOR OUR COUNTRY'

“These reports shared by the UN with the international public do not have direct enforcement power. However, considering that these reports are used as evidence by the International Criminal Court and other international bodies, it is impossible not to be concerned for our country. While trying to do things for national interests, it is necessary to avoid steps that will put our country in a difficult position, damage our reputation in the international arena, or lead to negative legal consequences,” noted Öztürk, who also shared the following allegations against Turkey from the United Nations (UN) panel of experts report in his column:

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE REPORT

“1. The Tanzania-flagged ship named 'Çirkin', operated by the Avrasya Denizcilik company and escorted by Turkish soldiers, violated the embargo stipulated in Article 9 of UNSC Resolution 1970 by transporting prohibited military material to Libya (paragraph 69),

Turkey transported the ASELSAN Koral Electronic Warfare System to Libya on October 23, 2019, thereby violating the arms embargo (paragraph 76),

Turkey transported 6 MIM-23 and Korkut Air Defense Systems to Libya on January 17, 2020, thereby violating the arms embargo (paragraph 76),

Turkey transported Roketsan UMTAS Anti-tank Defense Systems to Libya on January 27, 2020, thereby violating the arms embargo (paragraph 76),

Turkey transported FNSS ACV-15 combat vehicles and Fırtına howitzers to Libya on March 21, 2020, thereby violating the arms embargo (paragraph 76),

Turkey transported TAI Anka UCAVs to Libya on April 19, 2020, thereby violating the arms embargo (paragraph 76),

Turkey violated the arms embargo with STM Kargu-2 Munitions on May 27, 2020 (paragraph 76),

Turkey violated the arms embargo by transporting the Roketsan T-122 Sakarya MLRS to Libya on July 18, 2020 (paragraph 76),

Turkey violated the arms embargo by transporting 120 mm mortars to Libya on October 9, 2020 (paragraph 76).”