Letter reveals officer ties to Çağlayan rally

The prosecutor’s office sent the letter and photographs to the İstanbul Police Department to determine whether they are genuine. According to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) Domestic Service Law and the Military Penal Code, members of the military cannot join any association and cannot attend political meetings or rallies; those who violate these rules face up to five years in prison. It was stated that the officers who attended the rally violated Article 148 of the Military Penal Code.

The letter was reportedly received by the High Criminal Court only two days after the rally. The sender keeps his identity a secret but says he is also a member of the military. He says some officers stationed in the 1st Army Command consistently discuss political issues and declare the republic to be under imminent threat. It is for this reason they attended the rally with their families while forcing personnel under them to do the same. The informer states that he deemed it more appropriate and safer to refer the situation to the prosecutor’s office rather than to his superiors. He provides the names of all the officers and military personnel who attended the rally and reiterates that they violated the TSK Domestic Service Law and the Military Penal Code.

The prosecutor’s office claims it took the letter seriously and immediately sent it on to the police department to determine its accuracy. The police department reportedly launched an investigation upon receipt of the letter.