16 March 2010 / ŞAMİL TAYYAR STAR,
Speaking with Milliyet’s Fikret Bila, Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ stated that it is not possible to remove Col. Dursun Çiçek from duty before a criminal case is filed against him.
“Initiating a criminal case means that an allegation was accepted by a court; however, no such thing has happened. If there is a criminal case against Çiçek, it depends on the decisions of the relevant authorities,” Başbuğ says. Shortly after, Bila asked a question: “Doesn’t that depend on the Turkish Defense Ministry’s authorization?” Başbuğ answered, “Yes,” mentioning Article 65 of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) bylaws. In conclusion, there are two points that can be taken from Başbuğ’s statement: 1. There has been no lawsuit filed against Çiçek, so no action can be taken against him. 2. If a lawsuit is brought against Çiçek, the minister of defense, not the TSK, can suspend Çiçek from duty, but it is at the sole discretion of the Defense Ministry.
