AKP statement on lieutenants who said 'We are Mustafa Kemal's soldiers': 'It is against discipline, it must be investigated'

The lieutenants who drew their swords at the Military Academy graduation and chanted 'We are Mustafa Kemal's soldiers' have sparked a debate. AKP Deputy Chairman Hayati Yazıcı has made a statement regarding the matter.

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AKP statement on lieutenants who said 'We are Mustafa Kemal's soldiers': 'It is against discipline, it must be investigated'

The Military Academy graduation has pitted the opposition and the government against each other. The slogan 'We are Mustafa Kemal's soldiers' chanted by the graduating lieutenants and the subsequent oath text read have caused controversy.

Evaluating the issue on tv100, Sinan Burhan stated that the situation is not being treated as a crisis within the AKP camp, while pointing out that there is unease among the party's base due to past coup experiences in the country's history.

Burhan stated that he spoke with AKP Deputy Chairman Hayati Yazıcı and reported that Yazıcı said the incident should be investigated. Yazıcı's statement was included in the program with the following remarks:

"The statement made by the young officers is against military discipline. It must be investigated. The essence of military service is discipline. This statement, made outside of normal procedure, is not correct. Atatürk and the republic are our common values and are respectable, but the lack of discipline was not right; it must be investigated."

TUNÇ: WHAT MATTERS IS THE OATH IN THE LAW

Speaking about the images that emerged at the Ministry of National Defense Military Academy graduation ceremony, Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç said, "We have our laws. What is important there is the oath in the law, which they also took in the presence of our President. If there is a situation involving a lack of discipline, the relevant institution will deal with it."

WHO SAID WHAT IN THE DEBATES?

While circles close to the AKP criticized the images by saying "military tutelage is resurfacing," the People's Alliance partner MHP stood by the lieutenants. MHP Deputy Chairman İsmail Özdemir stated on his social media account, "Our young lieutenants are loyal to the law, order, their commanders, and their commander-in-chief, and they are aware of their duties." These words were quoted by the official MHP account.

Support for the targeted lieutenants also came from Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel. Speaking at the CHP Ankara Provincial Advisory Board meeting, Özel stated, "Your opinion leader, the 'madman with the fez' Kadir, used to say 'I wish the Greeks had won'; were these children supposed to be like you and say 'We are all Trikoupis' soldiers'? Of course, they are Mustafa Kemal's soldiers."

News Source: 12punto