23.01.2026 20:00
The 21st Administrative Court of Ankara unanimously annulled the expulsion decision regarding Lieutenant Deniz Demirtaş, one of the five lieutenants expelled from the Turkish Armed Forces as part of the investigation into the lieutenants who swore an oath by crossing swords during the graduation ceremony of the Army Military Academy.
After the official graduation ceremony of the Army Academy on August 30, 2024, some lieutenants swore an oath by crossing swords in the ceremony area, and following the public release of the images, the Ministry of National Defense (MSB) initiated a disciplinary investigation regarding the matter.
The High Disciplinary Board decided to separate 5 lieutenants from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) on the grounds that the action in question "damaged the discipline and reputation of the Turkish Armed Forces," thus terminating their relationships. While the decision sparked discussions in the public, the expelled lieutenants had resorted to legal action.
UNANIMOUS ANNULMENT The Ankara 21st Administrative Court made its decision in the case filed by Deniz Demirtaş, one of the five lieutenants expelled from the TSK. The court unanimously annulled the "separation penalty from the armed forces" imposed on Lieutenant Demirtaş.
The Administrative Court concluded that the act attributed to Lieutenant Deniz Demirtaş, 'engaging in obstructive behavior towards service,' could not be concretely and clearly demonstrated, and therefore, it found that the expulsion decision numbered 2025/23 dated January 16, 2025, by the High Disciplinary Board of the Ministry of National Defense's Land Forces Command was not in accordance with the law.
Deniz Demirtaş MONETARY RIGHTS HE WAS DEPRIVED OF WILL BE PAID WITH INTEREST The decision emphasized that it was necessary to compensate for the financial losses arising from the actions determined to be unlawful by the court. In the decision referencing Article 125 of the Constitution, it was stated that all financial rights that Demirtaş was deprived of due to the expulsion process should be covered by the administration along with the legal interest accruing from the date of entitlement. The defendant Ministry of National Defense may appeal the decision.
OTHER LIEUTENANTS' CASES ARE CONTINUING On the other hand, the lawsuits filed by other lieutenants Ebru Eroğlu, İzzet Talip Akarsu, Batuhan Gazi Kılıç, and Serhat Gündar against their expulsion decisions are ongoing.