The defenses of the 5 lieutenants referred to the disciplinary board have begun.

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During the official graduation ceremony of the Army Military Academy, after the sword oath, the lieutenants and their lawyers, who were referred to the High Disciplinary Board (YDK) with the penalty of "separation from the Turkish Armed Forces" initiated a disciplinary investigation, arrived at the Land Forces Command at 13:35.

PRESIDENT OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION IS ALSO IN THE HALL

Among the lawyers of the lieutenants, whose verbal defenses began at 14:00 at the YDK, is Erinç Sağkan, the President of the Turkish Bar Association. The lieutenants and their lawyers will also support their verbal defenses with photographs and videos. For this purpose, projectors that allow the committee to watch photos and videos were placed in the hall where the defenses will be taken. The lawyers delivered the visuals to the hall before the committee time.

FOOTAGE FROM THE CEREMONY DAY WILL BE SHOWN

In the defenses, photographs and videos related to the ceremony day will be shown, highlighting that the lieutenants recited the "officer's oath" during unofficial activities after the completion of the "official ceremony," which would not constitute a violation of orders. Legal opinions prepared by former members of the Military High Administrative Court, as well as other legal experts, which include the determination that the actions of the lieutenants do not constitute "attitudes and behaviors that would harm the reputation of the TSK, serious crimes, or indiscipline," will also be included in the defenses, which were submitted to the YDK yesterday.

DEFENSES OF 3 COMMANDERS HAVE ALSO BEGUN

Meanwhile, the defenses of three commanders, who were the battalion, company, and platoon commanders during the ceremony, began at 14:00 at the High Disciplinary Board of the Ministry of National Defense, alongside the lieutenants.

DECISIONS OF THE BOARDS WILL BE ANNOUNCED WITHIN 10 WORKING DAYS

As a result of the examinations and evaluations conducted in the high disciplinary boards, one of the decisions is made regarding the personnel under review: either "penalty of separation from the Armed Forces" or "no grounds for imposing a penalty of separation from the Armed Forces." It was stated that the decisions of the boards would be prepared with justification within 10 working days and communicated. Sources from the Ministry of National Defense reported that the reasoned decision would be shared with the public after its preparation and approval. Administrative judicial remedies can be sought against the "separation from the Armed Forces" penalties imposed by the high disciplinary boards.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

After the official graduation ceremony of the Army Military Academy on August 30, 2024, a disciplinary investigation was initiated when the lieutenants shouted the slogan "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" while crossing swords. Five lieutenants were referred to the High Disciplinary Board with the request for the penalty of "separation from the Turkish Armed Forces." An investigation was also initiated against the battalion, company, and platoon commanders during the ceremony.