Sectarian organization at Tuzla Infantry School exposed: Ministry of National Defense issues 'suspension' decision

At the Tuzla Infantry School, footage has emerged showing that the lieutenants who acted in solidarity with the lieutenant who did not wear an Atatürk photograph on his lapel on November 10 had invited their subordinates to a sect affiliated with the Nurcus during their years at the Military Academy.

"NURCUS, COMMANDER"

In a video recorded on April 22, 2022, while the lieutenants were still at the Military Academy, it was seen that the officer who was invited to the sect by the lieutenants who later reacted to the lieutenant who did not wear an Atatürk photograph explained the incident as follows:

“F.A. invited me to chat, I said I wasn't available. Then he came to the school. He mentioned the place he went to. He said they were comfortable and at peace. He said they had been cleansed of the Military Academy's style.” When the lieutenants asked, “Where is the place they go to?”, the subordinate replied, “It's where the lessons are taught, commander. Places like madrasas. Places where they chat in a house-like setting. Then the subject came to Atatürk. I told him that Atatürk studied at the school, and I asked why he didn't like Atatürk. He said he liked him, but he went there because it made him feel at peace. He said there were those who didn't like the Prophet. There was an argument between us. He brought up the subject of obligation and loyalty.”

When asked, “Did they reach you through someone?”, the subordinate answered “yes,” and when asked the name of the group, he said, “Nurcus, commander.”

"SUSPENSION" STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

The following statements were included in the explanation made by the Ministry regarding the subject:

"Our Turkish Armed Forces carry out all the duties they have undertaken at home and abroad against all kinds of threats and dangers to our country with great perseverance, determination, and success. The foundation of our heroic army, which has a deep-rooted history and tradition of thousands of years, and of military service, is built on discipline.

As stated in Article 13 of the Turkish Armed Forces Internal Service Law, “Discipline: means absolute obedience to laws, regulations, and superiors, and respect for the rights of subordinates and superiors. The foundation of military service is discipline.”

In our Turkish Armed Forces, whose priority is to maintain established discipline; there should not be the slightest doubt that no person, event, or situation that will shake its fundamental values, is contrary to discipline, or disrupts or may disrupt military hierarchy will be tolerated. Regarding the incident that occurred at the Infantry School Command on the 85th anniversary of the passing of the founder of our Republic and our eternal commander-in-chief Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, an administrative investigation has been initiated immediately in addition to the judicial investigation, as is the case with every incident and situation contrary to discipline.

Within the framework of the relevant legislation, behaving in accordance with the meaning and importance of the day during national commemoration and celebration days, ceremonies, and holidays is a requirement of discipline. Just as not acting in accordance with the legislation is indiscipline, intervening or behaving in a way that constitutes a crime outside of one's duty, authority, and responsibility against it is also indiscipline. In this context, in accordance with the mandatory provision in Article 29 of the Turkish Armed Forces Discipline Law, “An officer, non-commissioned officer, specialist sergeant, or contracted sergeant or private whose continued presence on duty is considered inconvenient for the safe and sound continuation of the investigation and research conducted about him due to an act that may constitute indiscipline or a crime may be considered on administrative leave and temporarily suspended from duty,” a Temporary Suspension from Duty Decision has been taken regarding the personnel who caused the incident. Contrary to what is being tried to be reflected to the public regarding this incident, there is no final disciplinary action that has been established yet. Until the High Disciplinary Board process and the judicial investigation are completed, pulling this issue to different points, if it does not stem from ignorance, carries the aim of harming the Turkish Armed Forces by creating a negative perception in the public."

News Source: 12punto