Flash development regarding the lieutenants: Decision found to be in accordance with the law

The Ankara 4th Administrative Court reviewed the "one-day confinement to quarters" penalty imposed on Lieutenant M.T. following the Military Academy graduation ceremony held on August 30, 2024.

The court ruled that the penalty was in accordance with the law, stating that discipline, which is the foundation of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), mandates that subordinates comply with the orders given to them.

The court's decision emphasized that rehearsals for the ceremony began on August 13 and that the lieutenants' requests to recite the oath, which had been removed from the regulations, were rejected by authorized bodies such as the company command and the deanship.

Furthermore, it was noted that during the rehearsal on August 20, a clear warning was issued to all personnel via the audio system that they should not deviate from the directive.

The court evaluated the lieutenants' recitation of the oath during the traditional sword-crossing ceremony on graduation day, despite their previously rejected requests and official warnings, as a "planned action."

The Ministry of National Defense had initiated a process for "separation from the TSK" regarding 5 lieutenants who participated in the sword-oath action at the graduation ceremony. A series of disciplinary penalties had been imposed on a number of lieutenants, including Lieutenant M.T.

In the petition submitted to the court, M.T. had requested the cancellation of the penalty, arguing that no explicit order had been given not to recite the oath and that the elements of indiscipline had not been met. Following the court's rejection, it was stated that M.T. has the right to take the case to the appellate court.