14.10.2026 00:33
Former Lieutenant General Çetin Saner, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the February 28 case and had his military ranks stripped, died at the age of 87. Saner, who was buried in the Kaynarca district of Sakarya, had been etched in memories for the harsh remarks he used against then-Minister of the Interior Meral Akşener during the February 28 process. Years later, Saner apologized in the courtroom for his words.
Former Lieutenant General Çetin Saner, who became one of the controversial figures of the February 28 process with his words to Akşener, has died. Saner, 87, was sent off on his final journey in the Kaynarca district of Sakarya.
HE DIED AT THE AGE OF 87
Former Lieutenant General Çetin Saner, who was tried in the case regarding the February 28 process and sentenced to life imprisonment, had been receiving treatment in Istanbul for some time due to health problems. Saner died on October 12 at the hospital where his treatment continued. The body of the former soldier, who died at the age of 87, was taken to the Kaynarca district of Sakarya to be buried. Saner's death once again brought to mind his role in the February 28 process and the judicial rulings issued about him.
HE WAS SENT OFF ON HIS FINAL JOURNEY IN SAKARYA
A funeral ceremony was held for Çetin Saner at the Kaynarca Central Cedid Mosque. After the afternoon prayer, Saner's funeral prayer was performed, and his body was laid to rest in the family cemetery. Thus, the former lieutenant general, who was tried in the February 28 case and released from prison in later years due to health problems, was sent off on his final journey in his hometown of Sakarya.
ETCHED IN MEMORIES WITH HIS WORDS TO MERAL AKŞENER
Saner's name was also remembered for the remarks he used toward then-Minister of the Interior Meral Akşener during the February 28 process. The following words the former lieutenant general said about Akşener were among the statements discussed for years: “Tell that woman, we will impale her on a greased stake”
HE APOLOGIZED IN COURT YEARS LATER
Çetin Saner made a statement at the hearing of the case held in 2013 regarding the words he had used toward Meral Akşener in the past. Stating that he regretted his words, Saner said: “I did wrong. It was unbecoming.”