03.04.2025 08:42
Ebru Eroğlu, one of the five lieutenants expelled from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), has filed a lawsuit to return to the army. In her defense, Eroğlu stated, "I am Lieutenant Ebru Eroğlu; I entered the Military Academy first and graduated first. I was always first in skiing, running, and shooting. I represented my country in the 'armed conflict' competition in Italy. I am a Military Academy student worthy of my state. I do not engage in indiscipline."
At the graduation ceremony of the Army Academy, Ebru Eroğlu, one of the five lieutenants who was expelled from the Turkish Armed Forces for reciting the officer's oath with the slogan "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal," has filed a lawsuit to return to the army.
"I AM DEEPLY ATTACHED TO THE TSK"
In the petition obtained by the Sözcü newspaper, Eroğlu stated in her defense: "I entered Harbiye first and graduated first. I ranked first in skiing, running, and shooting, and I received a diver's certificate. I graduated 58th from the commando course attended by men. The ministry sent me to the armed conflict competition in Italy due to my achievements. I tried to be a Harbiye student worthy of my state. I am deeply attached to the TSK. I could not have intended any indiscipline."
"LIEUTENANTS ARE ON LEAVE"
In the lawsuit prepared by the President of the Turkish Bar Association Erinç Sağkan and 11 lawyers, the following statements were included: "The action that is the subject of the disciplinary investigation occurred after the ceremony. After the ceremony, the lieutenants are on leave, having exited the command of the Army Academy. It has also been emphasized by the administration that the content of the officer's oath does not contain any negativity and that there is no issue regarding the content of the text. How can the collective recitation of the officer's oath, which has been read at ceremonies until 2022 and continues to be read at some official ceremonies, harm the reputation of the state or the TSK on the first day of their officer careers after the ceremony?
In the majority opinion of the YDK decision, it is stated that the phrase 'We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal' is not an act of indiscipline. It is stated that 'The great leader Atatürk is a common value of our nation and state, and it is indisputable.' If the officer's oath, which has been read at official ceremonies from 1995 to 2023, did not create opposition in society, why did its recitation after the ceremony create opposition in this case? If this oath text had been read during the ceremony, would there have been a discussion of opposition? It is clear that, according to a large majority of the society (public opinion polls around 90%), the reputation of the state and the TSK has not been damaged due to the actions of the lieutenants.