Up to 6 years in prison sought for detained retired Rear Admiral Türker Ertürk

An indictment has been prepared in the investigation conducted into retired Rear Admiral Türker Ertürk, who was arrested on August 17 due to statements made in video content published on social media.

In the indictment prepared by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was requested that Ertürk be sentenced to 2 to 6 years in prison for the crime of "threatening to create fear and panic among the public through press and media."

It was stated that the investigation was launched ex officio following remarks made by Ertürk in video content shared on his social media account. It was also reported that the research report prepared by the Istanbul Security Branch Directorate's Public Security Bureau was included in the indictment.

STATEMENTS IN THE INDICTMENT

The indictment noted that in the video in question, Ertürk made assessments regarding a change in government, stated that this would happen "painfully or painlessly," and expressed that the Supreme Election Council (YSK) must make decisions in accordance with the law.

The prosecution further stated that Ertürk used expressions suggesting that if the government does not change through democratic means, the Turkish people could be punished through international initiatives. The indictment also included that Ertürk responded in an affirmative manner to the host's question in the video: "They certainly know the price, don't they, sir?"

It was stated that in his defense, Ertürk claimed that time had passed since the videos were recorded. However, the indictment stated that the footage continued to be shared on social media and in visual media, and therefore the act was evaluated within the scope of a "continuing crime."

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office included the opinion that the posts and broadcasts were interrupted by the first judicial action, and therefore the date of the crime should be accepted as the date the detention order was executed.

The indictment alleged that Ertürk's words contained concrete accusations capable of creating fear and panic in society. Stating that the act was carried out publicly via a broadcast accessible to everyone, the file was sent to the Bakırköy Criminal Court of First Instance for evaluation.

Born in Trabzon in 1957, Türker Ertürk joined the navy as an officer in 1979 after graduating from the Naval Academy. Ertürk, who served as the Commander of the Naval Academy between 2008 and 2010, resigned in 2010.