Turkey’s DEM Party MP and human rights advocate Dr. Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu delivered a significant speech in the General Assembly, presenting crucial insights regarding the events of July 15. Gergerlioğlu meticulously examined the case of former Supreme Military Council member General Akın Öztürk, who has been widely portrayed in pro-regime media as the mastermind behind the coup attempt.
“I have thoroughly reviewed his case file, including camera recordings and HTS records. Witness statements reveal that Öztürk went to Akıncı Air Base under orders from the then-Chief of Air Staff and Chief of General Staff to ‘convince the coup plotters’ to stop. This was even acknowledged in a July 21 General Staff statement, which was later deleted. Öztürk is the man who saved Abidin Ünal and Yaşar Güler from the coup plotters. How can such a person be declared the number one coup plotter? There are significant doubts about July 15. After eight years, it is time to discuss these truths,” Gergerlioğlu stated.
The primary accusation against General Akın Öztürk, labeled as the top conspirator of July 15, is that he did not attend the wedding of Mehmet Şanver’s daughter. According to the regime, Öztürk, who had control over more than 500 aircraft and thousands of soldiers a year earlier, suddenly decided to plan a coup six months after starting his retirement process. He was reportedly unaware of the coup attempt until 10:35 PM, two hours after the events began.
Witnesses testified that Öztürk was summoned to Akıncı Air Base by then-Air Force Chief Abidin Ünal and Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar on the night of July 15. They watched the developments on TV for a while before Akar instructed Öztürk to “go and talk to them” to stop the coup attempt. Öztürk relayed Akar’s orders without alteration to the coup plotters at the 143rd Squadron but received no definitive response.
Öztürk was also involved in rescuing then-Deputy Chief of General Staff Yaşar Güler from captivity at the General Staff headquarters and provided his official car to Abidin Ünal.
Dr. Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu reviewed Öztürk’s case in detail and delivered a notable speech in the General Assembly:
“Two weeks have passed since the anniversary of July 15, and the real issues have not been discussed. After eight years, it is time to address certain truths. As someone who fundamentally opposes coups, I must highlight the severe issues regarding those falsely accused of being coup plotters. Soldiers, police officers, doctors, engineers, nurses, and teachers were wrongly labeled as coup conspirators. Even the top alleged plotter, Akın Öztürk, has many questionable aspects to his case. Upon examining his files and records, it is evident he had no involvement in the coup.
The records show he was at a camp in Gümüldere, İzmir, between July 3 and 15. However, according to secret witness claims, he attended meetings of the Peace at Home Council in Istanbul on July 7, 8, 9, and 10, which contradicts his presence in İzmir.
On July 15, he returned from Korea with his wife, went to his daughter’s house in Izmir, and learned about the coup attempt while playing with his grandson. At 11:47 PM, Abidin Ünal called and requested him to go to Akıncı Air Base to persuade the coup plotters. This is confirmed by a now-deleted General Staff statement dated July 21.
Öztürk stated: ‘I went to Akıncı Air Base. Hulusi Akar was there. He asked me to talk to them and convince them to stop. I made several attempts to negotiate. By morning, the coup was thwarted. I saved Yaşar Güler and Abidin Ünal. I provided my car and security detail to Ünal and escorted him to the Air Force Command. Later, I took Yaşar Güler to the Air Force Command. On the evening of July 16, I dropped Abidin Ünal at his home.’
On July 16, he was summoned to give a statement, which he did. How can such a man be declared the mastermind? With all the HTS and camera records available, how can he be labeled as the number one coup plotter? There are significant doubts about July 15, and I am presenting all the evidence. Eight years later, we need to reexamine July 15. Cadets, commanders, doctors, and teachers have lost their jobs and were imprisoned as ‘coup plotters,’ but the reality is vastly different. It’s time to discuss the true story of July 15.”
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