CHP's Bağcıoğlu testifies in 'lieutenants' investigation: 'To be their voice...'

CHP Deputy Chairman Yankı Bağcıoğlu has testified as part of an investigation launched against him due to his reaction to the referral of lieutenants to disciplinary action following their 'sword-oath' ceremony and his call for retired soldiers to take action. 

Bağcıoğlu was supported by CHP Deputy Chairmen Gökçe Gökçen and Murat Bakan, and Party Spokesperson Deniz Yücel. Bağcıoğlu made a press statement in front of the courthouse after his testimony. 

Testifying to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Bağcıoğlu said, "Many things are happening these days that should not be happening."

According to the report by ANKA, Bağcıoğlu stated the following: 

"As you know, this process began on August 30 with the lieutenants taking their officer oaths. Subsequently, social media trolls, certain politicians, and media outlets targeted the lieutenants; they attacked female lieutenant Ebru Eroğlu in a disgraceful manner, bordering on sexual harassment and assault. The lieutenants are not in a position to respond to these, but as retired soldiers, we tried to be their voice, their silent cry, within the framework of military honor, the spirit of comradeship, and loyalty to the Turkish Armed Forces. We tried to do this through press statements, that is, with the right granted by the Constitution and relevant laws. However, as I mentioned a moment ago, these press statements we made were turned into an ex officio investigation by the circles attacking the lieutenants, with unfair and baseless allegations such as 'military tutelage' and 'calling soldiers to the streets.' The Prosecutor conducted a very cordial and lawful testimony process. I would like to thank him.

'STILL, I TRUST THE LAW'

I am the Deputy Chairman of the CHP, Turkey's leading party, responsible for National Defense, and the Shadow Minister of National Defense. Therefore, it is my duty to make their silent cries heard, not only regarding national defense policies but also personnel issues. We attend the rallies of retired non-commissioned officers, we invite people there, and we support them. We address the staffing problems of specialized sergeants. We support their legal and appropriate activities. We go to the vigils of the Army Mutual Assistance Association operating in front of OYAK and support them. This is already our primary duty. Trying to derive other things from this and making illegal accusations is incompetence. We came to the courthouse, of course we will come. No one is above the law. Now, the question that needs to be asked here is this: No action is taken against those who have been disgracefully attacking the lieutenants since August 31, those who say 'Bring them to me, I will hang them,' and those who even evaluate their visit to Anıtkabir to Atatürk in an indecent manner. But an investigation is opened against someone like me for exercising rights arising from the Constitution and laws. This is probably a separate incident. Moreover, I learned about this from a newspaper. This is unfortunately very sad. But still, I trust the law. I believe that an appropriate decision will be made from now on."

News Source: 12punto