Statement from TBB President Erinç Sağkan, lawyer for the lieutenants

The lieutenants, who were referred to the High Disciplinary Board (YDK) with a request for dismissal from the TSK for reading the officer's oath and chanting the slogan "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" after crossing their swords at the Military Academy graduation ceremony on August 30, arrived at the Land Forces Command to present their defense.

The lieutenants began their defense at 14:00.

Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) President Erinç Sağkan, who is acting as the lawyer for the lieutenants, made statements alongside the accompanying lawyers.

According to ANKA, Sağkan stated the following:

"We are here today with our esteemed lawyer colleagues to attend the hearing where the evaluation of the disciplinary investigation conducted regarding the celebration where some lieutenants shared their joy at the end of the Military Academy graduation ceremony on August 30, 2024, will take place. I believe it is useful to briefly recall the process. Because the disciplinary investigation to be held today is not a simple investigation. We need to remember the statements of the lieutenants. What did the lieutenants say, what did they do? They read the officer's oath, which has been repeated for approximately 27 years, expressed that they are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal, and performed the sword-crossing ritual, which is their traditional way of celebrating."

"WHAT DOES SAYING 'WE ARE THE SOLDIERS OF MUSTAFA KEMAL' HAVE TO DO WITH THE REPUTATION OF THE TSK?"

What was it that they expressed in the officer's oath? It was an oath that they would 'protect the independence and indivisible integrity of the secular, democratic Republic of Turkey.' What is it that bothers some people here? Or, to put it in legal terminology, we will seek the answer today to what kind of expression in this act or statement damages the reputation of the Turkish Armed Forces. What did the lieutenants say next? They said, 'Those who reach out to an inch of the sacred homeland's soil will find us against them.' The committee here will give the answer today as to what kind of reputational damage this statement causes for the TSK. What does saying 'We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal' have to do with the reputation of the TSK? I regret to say that this is likely the first time in Turkey that this statement will be opened to debate under the roof of the TSK in such a disciplinary investigation.

We know this very well. If being a soldier of Mustafa Kemal means that three female officers are graduating first from three Military Academies today, then that is what it means to be an equal individual and citizen in the Republic of Turkey. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is the commander-in-chief of the victory won together with his nation against imperial occupation, and he is the eternal commander-in-chief. Therefore, for a member of the TSK to say 'We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal' is, let alone a matter of debate regarding reputation, an absolute necessity. I would like to express with regret that the attitude of the lieutenants, who shared their joy with their families and inspired confidence in the country, is a source of pride for the TSK. However, what damages the reputation of the TSK is the way this process is debated in the public eye and, unfortunately, the disciplinary investigation conducted regarding this process. As legal professionals, we want to witness the rule of law working here today. We know that the hearts, souls, and spirits of 85 million people are here with us."

"THE DECISION WILL NOT BE ANNOUNCED TODAY"

When asked whether the decision would be announced today, lawyer Mustafa Güler stated, "The decision cannot be announced today; only the hearing will be held today. The announcement of the decision will take place after the reasoned decision is written and this decision is approved by the Ministry of National Defense (MSB). We cannot give a date for this, but the MSB can provide you with better, clearer information."

News Source: 12punto