Brigadier General Bilal Çokay, accused of human smuggling, arrested

In an operation conducted in Şanlıurfa in recent months, it was revealed that an aide-de-camp and a specialist sergeant were using the official vehicle of a general named Bilal Çokay, who was serving in Syria, to smuggle people across the border.

Following the incident, Bilal Çokay was taken into custody. Bilal Çokay, who was detained in Ankara, was brought to Şanlıurfa.

After processing there, General Bilal Çokay was brought to the Akçakale Courthouse at the Syrian border, where he was arrested by the court and sent to prison.

STATEMENT ON ÇOKAY FROM MND SOURCES

When the allegation that Çokay was involved in human smuggling using his official vehicle came to light, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed the incident and announced that an investigation had been launched into Çokay.

MND sources made the following statement:

"It has been determined by us that the act was carried out by an aide-de-camp and security personnel using the official vehicle of a Brigade Commander serving in Syria, and this has been reported to the prosecutor's office.

The judicial and administrative investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The preliminary investigation is being conducted confidentially by judicial authorities. The individuals involved in the incident have been arrested.

The contracts of the contracted personnel have been terminated, and other personnel have been referred to the High Disciplinary Board. The unit commander, a Brigadier General, has been retired.

The duty station of the unit commander responsible for the border crossing point in question has been changed."

News Source: İHA