03.02.2025 10:42
The lawyers of the five lieutenants expelled from the Turkish Armed Forces stated that the decision has not yet been communicated to their clients and requested that they refrain from speaking to the press, considering the legal process that will begin thereafter. One of the lieutenants' lawyers said, "We asked them not to speak with politicians. We do not want this issue to shift to a political ground and be used as political propaganda."
After the graduation ceremony of the Army Academy of the National Defense University on August 30, 2024, the lieutenants who drew their swords and recited the officer's oath while chanting "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" were expelled from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) under the pretext of indiscipline. The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) announced, "Five lieutenants have been given a separation penalty from the Turkish Armed Forces."
THEY WILL REQUEST A REASONED DECISION
The lawyers of the expelled lieutenants will apply to the Ministry of National Defense today to request the reasoned decision, which has been distributed to the press but has not yet been provided to them. The lawyers, considering that the expulsion decision has not yet been communicated to the lieutenants and the legal process that will begin thereafter, advised their clients not to speak to the press.
"WE ASKED THEM NOT TO TALK TO POLITICIANS"
A lawyer stated that the support of politicians at this stage would also harm the lieutenants, and in a statement to the Sözcü newspaper, he said, "After the announcement of the decision, we met with our lieutenants as nine lawyers. We asked them not to talk to politicians. We do not want this issue to shift to a political ground and be used as political propaganda. This is a joint decision of both us as lawyers and the lieutenants. They are still officers. No decision regarding their expulsion has been communicated."
A LAWSUIT WILL BE FILED WITHIN 60 DAYS
A lawsuit will be filed for the annulment of the decision announced for the lieutenants and their commanders. The lawsuit will be filed within 60 days. However, the lawyers will apply to the Ankara Administrative Court within 10-15 days. If the decision is not annulled, they will take the case to the Regional Administrative Court and finally to the Council of State, and the decision will be final. One lawyer stated, "We expect a favorable outcome. Because there is no crime involved."
THEY WENT TO ANITKABİR THE DAY AFTER THE DECISION
After the graduation ceremony of the Army Academy, the five lieutenants expelled by the Ministry of National Defense for taking a sword oath went quietly to Anıtkabir the day after the decision. Journalist Müyesser Yıldız shared a photo of the lieutenants on her social media account.