31.01.2025 18:31
Reactions from politicians have come in succession regarding the expulsion of 5 lieutenants and 3 disciplinary officers in the investigation of the sword oath ceremony. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel stated, "We told you not to make this historical mistake against our army, but you did not listen." Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu described the expulsion decision as "another decision that will go down in history with shame."
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The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) announced that, following the images reflected to the public after the Flag Transfer and Graduation Ceremony of the Army War School, "Discharge from the Armed Forces" penalties were imposed on 3 sequential disciplinary officers and 5 lieutenants as part of the administrative and disciplinary investigations initiated. In a written statement from the ministry, the following was noted:
"Following the images reflected to the public after the Flag Transfer and Graduation Ceremony of the Army War School; the Ministry of National Defense High Disciplinary Board imposed 'Discharge from the Armed Forces' penalties on 3 sequential disciplinary officers by the Army High Disciplinary Board and on 5 lieutenants in accordance with the provisions of the Turkish Armed Forces Disciplinary Law and the Regulations of the Turkish Armed Forces High Disciplinary Boards and other relevant legislation. In our Turkish Armed Forces, which prioritize the preservation and maintenance of established discipline; there should be no doubt that no action, event, or situation contrary to discipline will be tolerated."
ÖZGÜR ÖZEL: WHEN WE COME TO POWER, WE WILL REUNITE OUR LIEUTENANTS WITH THEIR UNIFORMS
Following the sword oath ceremony, reactions from politicians to the 'discharge from the armed forces' penalty imposed on 3 disciplinary officers and 5 lieutenants were swift. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel expressed his reaction on social media, stating:
"We warned you not to make this historical mistake against our army, but you didn't listen. We promise. When we come to power, we will reunite our lieutenants with their glorious uniforms without any losses. We will hold accountable anyone who is complicit in this mistake." The government has signed another shameful decision today. Our 5 lieutenants and 3 commanders, who say 'We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal,' have been discharged from the Turkish Armed Forces.
The decision is a manifestation of the mentality that brings politics into the barracks and is hostile to Atatürk. In the army founded by Atatürk, saying "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" is not a crime. What is a crime is to purge Atatürk's soldiers from Atatürk's army.
Today, the lieutenants you expelled did not allow the coup against Atatürkist commanders. But you are the ones who filled the army with those who attempted a coup on July 15 and did not discipline your cloaked admiral, waiting for his retirement.
You have again made the wrong choice. The oath taken after the ceremony, which is loyal to Ata, the army, and the homeland, does not lead to indiscipline. No matter what you do. The structure of the Turkish army is so solid that it will expel the poison trying to enter. As our top student Lieutenant Ebru said:
Even if you expel them, you will not be able to take the War School badge from the chests of those young people.
We warned you not to make this historical mistake against our army, but you didn't listen. We promise. When we come to power, we will reunite our lieutenants with their glorious uniforms without any losses. We will hold accountable anyone who is complicit in this mistake."
EKREM İMAMOĞLU: ANOTHER DECISION THAT WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY WITH SHAME
Responding to the decision, Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu said, "Another decision that will go down in history with shame." İmamoğlu shared the following on his social media account:
"Another decision that will go down in history with shame. The most successful lieutenants of Turkey were discharged from the Turkish Armed Forces for saying 'We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal.' Our army is the army of the founder of this country, our eternal Commander-in-Chief Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This decision is a disrespect to the memory of our soldiers who have fought for the unity and integrity of our country since the War of Independence, has hurt our veterans, and has disturbed the bones of our martyrs. We stand with our lieutenants and will not leave them alone."
MANSUR YAVAŞ: WE ARE THE SOLDIERS OF MUSTAFA KEMAL
Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş also shared on his social media account, simply stating, "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal."
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