The critical date regarding the fate of the lieutenants referred to the disciplinary board.

After the graduation ceremony, 5 lieutenants who shouted the slogan "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" while unsheathing their swords in violation of the regulations will make their oral defense on January 16.

Following the oath ceremony at the MSÜ Army Academy Diploma and Flag Transfer Ceremony, the process regarding the referral of the lieutenants to the High Disciplinary Board (YDK) is underway. The YDK, which will discuss the file related to the lieutenants, will convene on January 16, 2025.

WRITTEN DEFENSES NEARLY COMPLETE

According to the information obtained, the lawyers of the lieutenants are continuing their work on the written defenses. It is planned that the lawyers will complete the signatures within a few days and submit the written defenses along with the attachments to the Land Forces Command. Meanwhile, it has been learned that the lawyers have identified some information and documents that should be in the disciplinary investigation file but are missing, and they have requested these separately, with the possibility of submitting additional petitions if necessary.

THEY WILL MAKE ORAL DEFENSE ON JANUARY 16

The lieutenants and their lawyers will present their oral defenses on Thursday, January 16, at 14:00, when the YDK will convene.

TWO OPTIONS AVAILABLE

As a result of the examination and evaluations conducted by the 9-member YDK, one of the following decisions will be made regarding the personnel under review: "Penalty of separation from the Armed Forces" or "No grounds for separation from the Armed Forces." The board is expected to notify its decision in writing within 1 month after January 16.

Administrative judicial remedies can be sought against the "separation from the Armed Forces" penalties imposed by the high disciplinary boards.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Following the official graduation ceremony of the Army Academy on August 30, 2024, a disciplinary investigation was initiated after the lieutenants unsheathed their swords and shouted, "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal." Five lieutenants were referred to the High Disciplinary Board with a request for "separation from the Turkish Armed Forces."

Sources from the Ministry of National Defense stated that actions have been initiated to refer the lieutenants who organized the act, as well as other personnel who had intent, fault, negligence, or responsibility, to the YDK under the TSK Disciplinary Law No. 6413.