Neither Vural Avar, Who Died in Prison, Nor the TSK's 'Shame' Has Been Forgotten

Former Air Force Commander Abidin Ünal, who attended the ceremony, emphasized that while there are discussions today about purchasing aircraft from different countries, Vural Avar was the only person who advocated for purchasing aircraft from diverse sources back in the 1990s. Retired Colonel Alican Türk reminded those present that the TSK did not send a single wreath or even a single uniformed soldier to Avar's funeral, stating, "These are shames that will go down in history on their behalf."

The ceremony at Avar's grave in Ankara's Karşıyaka Cemetery was attended by his wife and family, as well as former Air Force Commanders Ergin Celasun and Abidin Ünal, who were tried and acquitted in the February 28 case; retired Brigadier General Namık Kemal Çalışkan, who was removed from the presidency of TESUD via a trustee appointment following the retired admirals' Montreux declaration and was tried alongside the admirals; retired Lieutenant General Erdoğan Karakuş, who was appointed as TESUD President after Çalışkan; KUMPASDER President Ahmet Tatar; retired Vice Admiral Atilla Kezek, who resigned from his position as Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces Command to protest the sentences given to his comrades-in-arms in the Balyoz setup; Avar's comrades-in-arms and fellow prisoners; and representatives from the Victory Party (Zafer Partisi) and the Socialist Republic Party (Sosyalist Cumhuriyet Partisi).

The ceremony began with a moment of silence for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms, all our martyrs, and those who lost their lives in the setup cases, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. Reading the biography of the late Vural Avar, his nephew Sinan Avar stated that Avar had left us as a result of "the angels calling him," in his uncle's own words, and added, "Vural Avar will remain in our memories as an honorable Turkish soldier who never bowed down in the face of injustice and unfairness, and when justice is served one day, his rights and the rights of all his friends who were wronged in this setup case will be restored."

"DO NOT FORGET MY VURAL"

Vural Avar's wife, retired Air Colonel Tuna Avar, recounted that they sat at the same desk at the Military Academy and spent 65 beautiful, loving years together, but that 3.5 years of that were taken from them. She made the following appeal for the 5 commanders who are still in prison:

"We went through very difficult days, but there are still 5 friends of ours and their families who are going through difficult days. Their hardship continues. My request to you is, do not leave their families alone. It is important that the power of the TSK is behind us; we stand tall with this power. Do not forget my dear Vural."

THE TSK'S HISTORICAL SHAME

Retired Colonel Alican Türk, who was imprisoned and later acquitted in the February 28 case, described the setup orchestrated against them and the injustices and lawlessness they experienced, saying:

"We were all arrested on suspicion of flight, but none of us fled. The ones who truly fled were those who opened that case. February 28 is the final link in the 15 setup cases. Although the others were dropped after July 15, this case continued because it is a political revenge case. As a result of the perception created, politicians and the media stayed away from this case. In the end, a sentence was officially handed down. 

General Vural Avar was innocent; he died as a result of injustice and lawlessness. December 20 is a dark day that stands as a monument to a legal massacre and a lack of conscience. He is a martyr of the law. At his funeral, the great Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff, and the Air Force Command did not send a single wreath or even a single uniformed soldier. These are shames that will go down in history on their behalf. I believe that Vural Avar's name will be given to aircraft, airfields, and streets in the future. Yes, today the names of traitors are given to boulevards and streets; but it will not go on like this. 

Our 5 commanders are still waiting for their fate, having been left to die for 853 days despite a forensic medicine report. This is an attempted premeditated torture and murder. Do not avoid or stay away from the February 28 case in the name of truth, conscience, and the gains of the Republic of Turkey, especially secularism. February 28 is not a coup; no crime was committed. No ideology is stronger than justice, and justice cannot be sacrificed for any ideology."

"3-4 THOUSAND TANKS PASSED THROUGH SİNCAN"

TESUD President retired Air Lieutenant General Erdoğan Karakuş also recalled that the movement of tanks through Sincan was used as evidence in the February 28 case, stating, "I started working at Mürted (Akıncı) in 1968. Those tanks didn't just move then. I am a living witness that 3-4 thousand tanks passed through there due to the function of the base. I gave two reports to the court and testified; but it was not taken into account. This is a setup case. We are working for the safe release of our 5 friends inside."

AIRCRAFT PURCHASE DIG FROM FORMER COMMANDER

Retired General Abidin Ünal, who was the Air Force Commander during the July 15 coup attempt, stated that in his more than 40 years of service, 491 pilots had been martyred, and that this eternal fleet, which Vural Avar recently joined, continues its endless patrol flights. He noted that air martyrs always leave without being able to say goodbye and always leave behind much work to be done. Noting that the most important task to be done is the restoration of the honor and dignity of the commanders convicted in this case and that they are working for this, Ünal made the following dig regarding the aircraft purchases on the agenda:

"We had purchased aircraft in the 80s. In the 90s, 80 aircraft were to be purchased. I was a major. Vural Avar was also on the commission. He was the only one who said that we should not purchase aircraft from different sources. While there are discussions today about whether to buy aircraft from here or there, he is the person who first signed off on this view."

"WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MURDER"

Finally, KUMPASDER President Ahmet Tatar spoke as follows:

"Some names are written only on documents, while others are written on hearts and minds. Yes, not a single soldier came to General Vural's funeral; but retired generals and civilian activists stood guard. While General Vural had served the state for so many years, he lost his life in the corners of a prison a year ago.

The perpetrators of this murder are the FETÖ-affiliated prosecutors, the judicial bodies that did not rule on their applications, and those who established political dominance over the judiciary.

But none of us can absolve ourselves of this responsibility. We must no longer be spectators and remain silent in the face of these injustices. None of us can escape the sin of it. This course of action destroys social peace. We will be cursed as a society."

After the prayer was recited, the ceremony ended with the attendees adorning Avar's grave with flags and carnations.