Bahçeli's 'retired general' response to Ahmet Hakan: 'Even those who did 4 months of military service are talking...'

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli attended the 'Training Program for Ülkü Ocakları Provincial Presidents' held at a hotel in Kızılcahamam, Ankara.

"THOSE WHO DID 4 MONTHS ARE ALSO TALKING"

Responding to a journalist's question regarding retired generals commenting on television, Bahçeli said the following:

"I mean, one must have limited responsibility when defending ideas. I expressed this today as well. It is not right to talk about everything, everywhere, every day. It is not right for people who have served in the armed forces for many years and who know many events very closely—or rather, people who have lived through them—to attempt to interpret their experiences within a political framework. If there is high experience, they should transfer this experience to the people who are struggling, and help them in a healthier, more result-oriented struggle. While everyone is talking on television, those who did 4 months of military service are talking, those who worked for 20 years are talking, generals are talking, colonels are talking, and nothing comes of it."

AHMET HAKAN HAD CRITICIZED THE DECISION

Hürriyet newspaper Editor-in-Chief Ahmet Hakan had stated that the scope and purpose of the screen ban for retired soldiers were unclear, saying:

"Retired soldiers, at least on the television programs I host... explain developments in the defense industry. They provide information about the terrorist structure in Syria and Iraq. They interpret security issues all over the world. They analyze the Russia/Ukraine war. They shed light on the conflicts in Gaza. Who is harmed by this?" 

WHAT HAPPENED?

In the 60-article legislative proposal submitted with the signatures of AKP deputies, prison sentences were requested for retired military personnel who make evaluations related to their fields on television channels without permission. 

The article requested to be added to the Military Penal Code in the proposal is as follows:  

In the legislative proposal submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), prison sentences were requested for retired Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) personnel who share military information and make comments on military matters without permission. With the article to be added to the Military Penal Code, those who act in violation of the regulation will be sentenced to up to 3 years in prison. 

News Source: 12punto