Who did the lieutenants' commanders blame?
In the 'insubordination' crisis at the Military Academy graduation ceremony, the lieutenants and commanders referred to the High Disciplinary Board with a request for dismissal have presented their defenses. While refuting allegations that no orders were given for the post-ceremony period, the commanders pointed to a long-standing issue of dual authority at the school and held the Dean and his Deputy responsible for the weakening of discipline.
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Müyesser YILDIZ 12punto.com.tr
While the 5 lieutenants accused of insubordination for “failing to follow the orders of their commanders” at the Military Academy graduation ceremony and facing dismissal from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) presented their defenses at the Land Forces Command High Disciplinary Board (YDK), the three commanders facing dismissal from the TSK on charges of failing to issue any orders for the post-ceremony period also presented their defenses at the Ministry of National Defense High Disciplinary Board. It was learned that the commanders blamed the civilian Dean of the Military Academy and his Deputy.
According to the information we obtained, the YDK meeting, chaired by Musa Heybet, who became Deputy Minister of National Defense while serving as a member of the Council of State, and consisting of five members including three judges, lasted 5 hours. As was the case with the lieutenants, no questions were asked of the commanders at this YDK; they were only listened to.
Entering the YDK separately, the Company Commander Murat Öztürk, followed by the Battalion Commander Halit Türkoğlu, and finally the Acting Regiment Commander Alper Topsakal presented their defenses.
It was reported that the commanders first stated, “We are not saddened to be here. Because we were sad enough when we were removed from our posts. Being removed from duty was a heavier and greater punishment than coming here,” and then summarized their statements as follows:
“As understood from the testimonies, the only person who stated that they received word regarding the incident after the ceremony is Deputy Dean Arif Sarı. If he received word, why didn't he share it with the School Command? There has been a dual authority issue at the school for 7-8 years. When we gave an order, the students would go to the Dean or the Deputy Dean and have it revoked. Because of this dual authority, indiscipline increased, and this prevented us from training officers. We reached a point where we could not tell the students, 'This will not be done.'”
The decision regarding the commanders is expected to be announced simultaneously with the decision regarding the lieutenants.