The remaining sentences of the retired generals who were held in prison for years due to the February 28 conspiracy case have been lifted.
As the generals were released, the characterization of the decision as an 'amnesty' sparked a reaction.
The remaining sentences of retired commanders Çetin Doğan, Yıldırım Türker, Erol Özkasnak, Fevzi Türkeri, and Temel Özkaynak were pardoned by a presidential decree. The retired commanders have filed a lawsuit for a retrial. The commanders' lawyer, Aykanat Kaçmaz, said, "Justice will be served with the restoration of ranks and rights."
Aykanat Kaçmaz, the lawyer for the five commanders who were most recently released, has applied to the Ankara 5th High Criminal Court for a retrial, the restoration of their ranks, and the reinstatement of their other rights.
Speaking to Saygı Öztürk from Sözcü, Lawyer Kaçmaz said, "We want justice, not amnesty. I believe that a verdict of acquittal will be issued as a result of the retrial." Stating that those on trial could not be cleared due to the perception in society, among politicians, and within the judiciary that "February 28 was a coup," Kaçmaz noted the following:
"Those with opposing views, when 'this lawlessness, FETÖ conspiracy, fake evidence, and witness testimonies' are put forward, counter with the argument that educational freedoms were restricted due to headscarves and cite the headscarf incidents at universities; this debate continues. However, those on trial are not being judged for imposing a headscarf ban, terminating the public service of religious personnel, or pressuring their subordinates because they or their spouses wore headscarves. The only crime charged is forcing the government to resign through force and violence."
News Source: 12punto
