Details of the High Disciplinary Board decision to dismiss the lieutenants: 4 members dissented!

Following the graduation ceremony of the National Defense University Military Academy on August 30, 2024, the lieutenants crossed their swords, recited the officer's oath, and subsequently shouted, "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal."

After pro-government media targeted the lieutenants, AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated, "Who are you drawing these swords against? All necessary investigations regarding these individuals are being conducted, and those few who do not know their place will be purged."

Following this statement by Erdoğan, Ebru Eroğlu, Batuhan Gazi Kılıç, Deniz Demirtaş, Talip İzzet Akarsu, and Serhat Gündar, who were referred to the High Disciplinary Board with a request for dismissal, along with three disciplinary supervisors—Colonel Alper Topsakal, Lieutenant Colonel Halit Türkoğlu, and Major Murat Öztürk—were dismissed from the TSK by a majority vote.

5 MEMBERS VOTED FOR DISMISSAL, 4 MEMBERS OPPOSED

According to a report by Tarık Işık from Nefes Gazetesi, 5 members of the Land Forces High Disciplinary Board voted in favor of "dismissal," while 4 members opposed the decision. The fact that 4 members dissented from the decision is expected to contribute positively to the lieutenants' pursuit of justice. The lieutenants have the right to file a lawsuit in the Administrative Court within 60 days.

ALL EYES ON THE COURT OF CASSATION

Namık Öztürk, one of the lawyers for the lieutenants, had filed a criminal complaint with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, alleging that some commanders pressured others to change their opinions during the investigation process.

The criminal complaint alleged that documents were removed from the file, and when the file was sent to the Land Forces Training and Doctrine Command (EDOK) for the second time, the initial opinions and recommendations of certain supervisors were missing, replaced by revised opinions and recommendations, thereby altering the content of the file.

Stating that the individuals complained about included personnel with the rank of general, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office noted that the authority to grant permission for an investigation therefore rested with the Minister of National Defense. The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued a "lack of jurisdiction" decision and sent the investigation file to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office of the Court of Cassation. The decision to be issued by the Court of Cassation will also be an important milestone in the lieutenants' legal struggle.