“These people will probably never learn what crime they committed. The TSK will not provide an explanation as to what they were accused of. Let’s acknowledge that there is no meaning in talking about justice, law, self-defense or fair trial in a system under the control of militarism,” read a statement released by the Freedom Association (Özgür-Der.)
A statement posted on the Web site of the General Staff read that two officers had been expelled from the military on the grounds that they were engaged in anti-secular activities. The statement also said members of YAŞ discussed threats to Turkey’s domestic security and measures to be taken against these threats.
The YAŞ meeting was held on Friday at the General Staff with the participation of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ, Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül and other YAŞ members.
The council convenes twice a year to decide on promotions and retirements within the TSK. The YAŞ meetings are also where officers suspected of engaging in anti-secular activities are expelled from the TSK. Officers discharged from the military do not have the chance to appeal or demand a review of the decision for dismissal.
In its statement Özgür-Der voiced Turkey’s urgent need for a higher body or institution that could monitor decisions made by YAŞ.
