Robe and turban-wearing 'lawyer' scandal at Tuzla Infantry School

Müyesser YILDIZ - 12punto.com.tr

New allegations are being added to the events that began at the Tuzla Infantry School when a lieutenant failed to wear an Atatürk photograph on November 10.

It has been alleged that a photograph of another lieutenant, who is believed to be the leader of the group acting with the lieutenant who did not wear the Atatürk photograph, was found from a religious sect meeting last year, showing him in robes and a turban.

Furthermore, it is reported that one of the lawyers for the same group walked around the Tuzla Infantry School in a turban recently while visiting to obtain information and documents.

Here is the latest information we have obtained regarding the events at the Tuzla Infantry School:

As is known, Turkey witnessed in 2021 a rear admiral going to a religious sect house in his official car and wearing robes over his uniform.

Now, a similar incident is being discussed at the Tuzla Infantry School.

Lieutenant K.A., who is believed to lead the group alleged to be affiliated with a religious sect but whose name has not yet been mentioned in the events and the investigation, shared a photo of himself in robes and a turban at a sect meeting last year.

The individual in question also said, “I am a Sharia supporter” during the events on November 13.

Again, one of the names acting as a lawyer for the same lieutenants walked around in a turban at the Tuzla Infantry School, where he had gone recently to obtain information and documents regarding the investigation.

THEY DID NOT ATTEND THE TRAINING TRIP ON THE GROUNDS OF FRIDAY PRAYER

Two other incidents:

On December 16, 2022, a training trip to the Special Forces was planned for a battalion at the Tuzla Infantry School; however, the lieutenants now mentioned in the November 10 and subsequent events did not attend this trip, claiming they would go to Friday prayer and threatening the battalion commander.

An issue of a magazine belonging to Hezbollah titled 'The Unilluminated Story of a Movement' was found at the school; however, officials did not take action, stating, “It is unclear who it belongs to.”

“BEING A MUSLIM DOES NOT PREVENT YOU FROM LOVING ATATÜRK”

After the incident, a lieutenant stated to be part of the sect-affiliated group sent a message to a lieutenant they thought had “changed his tune,” saying, “You have been in cahoots with these dogs and jackals since this morning, are you trying to save your own skin?” to which he replied:

“I have no news or information about your group or your house... I did not accuse any of you, I thought you were being slandered. The community, sect, etc., suspended my father for 4.5 years. I have no gratitude or loyalty to anyone. Haven't you been talking about slander from the very beginning?.. Show me one recorded message and say you came to this house with us... Finally, being a Muslim is not an obstacle to loving Atatürk. Just because you love Atatürk does not mean you are not a Muslim.”

WHAT DID THE PROSECUTOR SAY IN THE INDICTMENT?

We previously stated that Lieutenant A.A., who did not wear an Atatürk photograph on November 10, and his bunkmate M.F.Ş. filed a compensation lawsuit for 90 thousand liras each against four lieutenants, claiming they were assaulted, and that a hearing date was set for January 11.

We also learned that in the indictment prepared for this case, the Prosecutor determined that the complainants had “insulted the spiritual personality of Atatürk,” but became alarmed after the events were reflected in the public eye, especially after the “lieutenant junta” reports by Yeni Şafak.

STATEMENT FROM 10 LAWYERS

There are two other hot developments:

The defense of the 4 lieutenants who were referred to disciplinary action for reacting to the lieutenant who did not wear an Atatürk photograph has been undertaken by 10 individuals, all of military origin, including a retired Brigadier General who served as a military judge-prosecutor and held the position of Head of Operations at the General Staff.

These lawyers will make a statement today or tomorrow regarding the “lieutenant junta” allegations.

As is known, a total of 7 lieutenants were temporarily suspended after the events, and judicial and administrative investigations were launched against them. Within the scope of the administrative investigation, they were referred to the High Disciplinary Board with a request for “dismissal from the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces).”

The decision regarding the lieutenants will be taken by the High Disciplinary Board (YDK), which consists of the heads of units at the Land Forces Command (KKK), chaired by the Chief of Staff of the Land Forces Command. It is stated that National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and Land Forces Commander General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu have given instructions for the file to be ready for the YDK's January meeting.

News Source: Müyesser Yıldız