The lawyer Öztürk, representing the lieutenants whose discharge from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is requested, described the events that took place during the defense.

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After the official graduation ceremony of the Army Academy, the defense of the lieutenants who were referred to the High Disciplinary Board (YDK) with a request for expulsion from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) for shouting the slogan "We are soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" while crossing swords was taken yesterday at the Land Forces Command. The meeting where the expulsion of the lieutenants was discussed lasted for 6 hours.

Lawyer Serdar Öztürk, who provided information in a program he participated in on Halk TV regarding the defenses of the lieutenants, stated that the lieutenants began their defenses not by saying "We are soldiers of Mustafa Kemal," but by introducing themselves and explaining the incident.

"OF COURSE, THEY STATED THAT THEY ARE SOLDIERS OF MUSTAFA KEMAL IN THEIR DEFENSES"

Öztürk said, "Our president Erinç Sağkan made the closing statement at the end. While speaking to the cameras outside after that 6-hour fatigue, he made such a statement. However, our lieutenants began their defenses primarily by introducing themselves and explaining the incident. They provided information regarding the allegations of indiscipline directed at them. Of course, they stated that they are soldiers of Mustafa Kemal in their defenses. In the end, they all concluded their defenses in different ways. For example, our Lieutenant Ebru concluded by saying, 'You can take my ranks, but you cannot take my military academy badge. You cannot take my military spirit.' Our other lieutenants also made their defenses in a similar manner," he expressed.

"IT IS EVEN EMBARRASSING THAT LIEUTENANTS ARE FORCED TO MAKE SUCH A DEFENSE"

Öztürk emphasized that the purpose of the military academy is to train officers who have adopted the principles and reforms of Atatürk, stating, "It is written in the Military Academy Law in this way. There cannot be anything more natural than the officers trained there being Kemalist. The fact that they mention this in their defenses and explanations is actually embarrassing. It is even embarrassing that lieutenants are forced to make such a defense. Of course, the soldiers of the Turkish army will be soldiers of Atatürk." he said.

Öztürk explained that the President of the Land Forces High Disciplinary Board, Lieutenant General Tevfik Alkan, conducted a very successful and disciplined hearing, noting that neither the lieutenants nor the lawyers' defenses were interrupted.

"LIEUTENANTS DID NOT ENTER POLITICAL ISSUES"

Lawyer Serdar Öztürk stated: "The President of the Turkish Bar Association, Mr. Erinç, thanked the committee for fair and lawful management while making our final defenses. The lieutenants did not enter political issues. We explained them critically in our defenses in some way. Despite everything, we believe that the High Disciplinary Board will make a fair decision after carefully listening to and taking notes on what we explained after yesterday's six-hour hearing marathon."