One group argues that the officers who allegedly are a part of a failed attempt to plot a coup against the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government back in 2003 and 2004 and brought to court should not be promoted because the law is clear -- if there is a trial about an officer s/he should not be promoted. The other group argues that the decision to arrest the active duty officers 10 days before the YAŞ meeting was a politically motivated decision that has nothing to do with justice. Therefore, such a decision to prevent those officers from promotions would be punishment in advance that would not serve the interest of justice.
It seems that the latter is going to win the debate because nine days after the decision no officer has been arrested. Oddly it is claimed that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) provides shelter for them in military facilities, where law enforcement agencies have no authority. Moreover, it is claimed that the minister of the interior has ordered police chiefs not to arrest officers, even retired officers. No matter where you look, in a normal country, both the minister of the interior and military leaders are committing crimes by not listening to the court order.
What is worse about the issue is that it is not a new development that came out of the blue. It is an issue that has existed for eight months. During this period, the Defense Ministry has not done anything, i.e., internal investigations into the allegations and preparing files about their situation within the military, to find out what is appropriate for them and the military.
I understand the fact that the military is trying to protect its members. Furthermore, it is likely that the group that the prosecutor is dealing with is a well-organized group within the military, the media, even the judiciary that is fighting hard to protect its members. A media report that was published by the Bugün daily provides a perfect example of how the organized group within the military is helping its members get promoted. In that report, an officer told a high-ranking general to help their friend, Brig. Gen. Mustafa İ., who had done inappropriate things that may affect his future career if they do not help him in this situation. In the report it was claimed that the organized group is preparing Brig. Gen. Mustafa İ. for the position of commander of the air forces in the future. In fact there were claims against Brig. Gen. Mustafa that were leaked on the Internet which were written before he was made brigadier general that said he should not be promoted because he had relatives in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and other terrorist organizations, and there were additional allegations against him. Despite the allegations he was promoted, and it is believed that his promotion itself shows how effective this group is in the military.
While the group is preparing the groundwork to save its members from the court, it appears that the Ministry of Defense has not done anything. Thus, an ordinary court issue has turned into a political fault line between the two camps of society, further dividing society. Without any excuse the situation itself shows the inability of Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül. I understand the fact that the political system in Turkey does not allow a strong minster of defense. Further, perhaps the AKP government does not want the minister to appear as a strong and high profile minister as well because it would further disturb Turkish generals. Yet, Mr. Gönül himself does not act like a minister, either. He appears like a civilian working in the Ministry of Defense under the supervision of the chief of General Staff.
When I was a student at the Police Academy I recall that Mr. Gönül, who was retired back then, used to come to the Police Academy to play volleyball with us. He was not even a good player, but compared to his play in power politics, he was certainly a better player in volleyball. I would suggest to him and Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that he return to the court and play volleyball sooner rather than later. I think Mr. Gönül considers being minister a burden on his shoulders. What I think is that he is a burden on our democracy to normalize military-civilian relations. Thus, it is better for everyone to see him playing volleyball rather than making power plays in politics.
