President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with the decisions he signed at midnight, opened the prison doors for the February 28th, 1996 coup attempt convicts. General Çetin Doğan and his friends were released. The reason; old age and chronic illnesses… A very important development. However, there is silence in the AKP faction and its media. The two elements used as the pretext for this magnificent pardon were not new; they existed before. Nevertheless, Erdoğan, known for his ‘particular obsession,’ was reluctant to release Çetin Doğan.
So, what has changed now? What could be the reason?
It soon became clear that the release of Çetin Doğan and his friends was orchestrated by the CHP leader Özgür Özel. During a face-to-face meeting with Erdoğan, he brought up the issue and requested their release. Erdoğan’s gesture was not only for Doğan but also for Özel… that is, for the CHP. The quick briefing of Özel by the Private Secretary shows Erdoğan’s desire to please the CHP.
Are only the ‘elderly and sick’ prisoners from February 28th affected? Are there no other prisoners in worse condition than even Çetin Doğan in prisons? It seems unbecoming of Özel to limit his interest to the February 28th convicts. When it comes to words, it is said, ‘The identity of the oppressed and innocent is not asked, nor are their thoughts and ideologies considered.’ However, the CHP leader prepared his file by looking at identities, considering political views.
I have no objection to the release of the February 28th convicts. Still, the return home of the elderly and sick February 28th convicts is a positive development. Yes… Even if it is Çetin Doğan, it does not matter. Every exit and opening of the door is a ray of hope for those who remain. The prisoner thinks that someday it will be their turn and finds morale. An unopened door drives the prisoner to despair, turning their days into a nightmare.”
“The media’s efforts to exonerate Çetin Doğan and his friends are not overlooked. Everyone knows that February 28th was an intervention in politics and democracy. The very phrase “balancing democracy” was spoken by the powerful figure of the time, Çevik Bir.
The term ‘postmodern coup’ is also attributed to the actors of February 28th. Çetin Doğan was one of the most critical and harsh figures of February 28th. ‘We will even use weapons if necessary!’ was declared by the head of that team. His target was not only the political institution but also moderate figures inside, like Hilmi Özkök.
Much time has passed since then, February 28th is not today’s issue. Much water has flowed under the bridge. The political climate cultivated by February 28th led to the rise of AKP and Erdoğan. Had the February 28th process not happened, the stage would not have been set for Erdoğan. AKP could not have made a strong start both in terms of cadre and policy. Is Erdoğan repaying his debt to the February 28th actors? The purpose of writing this article was to answer this question. But the topic is too intricate…
Erdoğan, by ‘derailing democracy and justice,’ has made even the actors of the February 28th process look merciful. How so?
Erol Özkasnak was also released. Erdoğan far surpassed the tyranny of February 28th. Could one forget the remark of Saadet Party’s former leader Mustafa Kamalak, commenting on Erdoğan’s oppressive policies: “February 28th actors were more honorable.” Or the words of President Abdullah Gül’s wife, Hayrunnisa: “We didn’t even experience this much during the days when my headscarf was debated in February 28th.” Even just a few weeks ago, headscarved girls protesting trade with Israel said, “We were not dragged around like this even during February 28th.” Erdoğan has far surpassed the tyranny of February 28th.
Ask any ordinary person who ends up in court today; “Would you rather be tried under the legal environment of the February 28th period or under AKP’s judicial system?” The answer is unequivocally ‘February 28th.’ Including the young protesters against Israel. Since 1071, justice has never been so devoid of justice, law, and rights. The AKP administration has ushered in a ‘golden age’ of injustice. And it continues to do so. With the AKP, justice has left this country.
Even if Erdoğan didn’t expect a ‘thank you’ from Çetin Doğan, he at least expected him to stay quiet. However, Doğan irritated Erdoğan by saying, “The constitution worked, this is not a pardon, it’s a delayed procedure!” The response came not from the AKP but from its partner. Bahçeli said, “If I were the prison warden, I’d look at the list of those who benefited from the pardon, and say ‘Çetin Doğan, you are not on this list,’ and put him back inside.” These words are significant and should be noted in history.
Boasting of bravery, yet revealing the theft! Why? To penetrate behind the scenes of arbitrary practices in prisons… To see on what these prison administrations rest their backs… Prisons in Turkey are full of directors who think like Bahçeli. Justice and the Ministry of the Interior are under the control of MHP. That’s why a ‘special execution system’ is applied to prisoners. Bahçeli, in expressing his objection to Doğan, inadvertently revealed his ‘theft.’ Prisons are managed by this mentality of Bahçeli.
Now is the time to ask Erdoğan… Why is the pardon only for Çetin Doğan and his friends? Isn’t this ‘paşa justice’? Is there no justice for other elderly and sick prisoners? Don’t say a forensic report is needed… That’s also under Erdoğan’s hand. Reports are tailored according to the prisoner’s identity.
Hey nationalist conservative AKP followers!
Does it sit well with you that while Çetin Doğan is released, the elderly and sick uncle in your neighborhood remains behind dark walls? Don’t you object?
Prisons are overflowing with elderly, women, and children who are arrested and imprisoned for ridiculous reasons like depositing money in a bank, participating in conversations, or subscribing to a newspaper. Among them are those who are wheeled into prison in wheelchairs or even beds because they are bedridden.
Hey supporters of the AKP!
You know all these prisoners from the mosque, from the neighborhood. Is there a magnificent pardon for Çetin Doğan but not for them? Does this situation fit your conscience? Look, Erdoğan you believe in, ‘because Özgür Özel asked,’ has opened the prison doors for the February 28th convicts. ‘What about the others?’ Aren’t you going to ask? Will even Çetin Doğan not wake you from deep sleep?
The character of the Anatolian lands is very stingy and unique when it comes to reaction and objection. Even if the crowd remains silent today and does not react, they would be disturbed by the prisons being full of elderly and sick prisoners while Çetin Doğan is released. This justice of Çetin Doğan inevitably opens deep wounds and cracks in AKP’s conservative base. The Anatolian conscience waits for its time and will definitely ask for an account, just as it did on March 31st. Conservatives cannot accept this picture. ‘Reaction and anger’ accumulate like this against the AKP.
Erdoğan, while using his magnificent pardon for Çetin Doğan, paid his debt to February 28th and also made a gesture to the CHP. He did not consider justice. He looked at the identity of the prisoner. He wounded consciences. He loaded AKP with a burden hard to carry.
The pain will emerge at the ballot box.
NOTE: On May 16th, by the decision of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the remaining prison sentences of retired military officers Fevzi Türkeri, Yıldırım Türker, Aydan Erol, Cevat Temel Özkaynak, Erol Özkasnak, Çetin Doğan, and Çevik Bir, who were sentenced to life imprisonment for “attempting a coup” in the February 28th trial, were abolished. Following the pardon decision, Çetin Doğan was released from Buca Kırıklar No. 1 F Type Prison; Fevzi Türkeri, Yıldırım Türker, Cevat Temel Özkaynak, and Erol Özkasnak were released from Sincan Prison.”
