'Democratic state of law cannot be suspended in Turkey'

By Sorwar Alam

ANKARA

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Wednesday that the democratic state of law could no longer be suspended in Turkey thanks to the measures taken by the current government.

In a series of Twitter messages regarding the Feb. 28, 1997 post-modern coup, Bozdag said the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party governments had taken strong steps toward democratization and demilitarization.

In February 1997, the military was involved in the overthrow of the late Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan’s government amid concerns expressed by generals about the government’s alleged Islamist program.

Erbakan was forced to sign into law the army's stance on various issues, such as a ban on headscarves in public service and the shutting down of Quran schools, to name a few.

Erbakan's government was forced to step down following a National Security Council (MGK) meeting. His Welfare Party was also later outlawed. A new civilian government then took over from Erbakan in a move that became known as Turkey’s "postmodern" coup.

“Our government has taken the biggest steps on democratization and demilitarization,” Bozdag said, so that no more coups would happen again.

He noted the "shameful actions" taken during what came to be known as “the Feb. 28 era” were unfair, unlawful and unjust decisions and practices, which have all been abolished by consecutive AK Party governments one by one.

"The Feb. 28 post-modern coup was a collective disgrace, a black stain, and a dark period for the history of our politics, democracy, law, rights and freedom, justice, nation and state,” he said.

Even though the coup was carried out under the false pretense of fighting against religious extremism, Bozdag said, it had nothing to do with fighting against religious extremism or the Fetullah Terrorist Organization, or any other terrorist organization bent on exploiting religious feelings.

According to Bozdag, the 1997 coup was “an open struggle” against ordinary Muslims who wanted to sincerely study and practice their faith.

He finally pointed out that all of the coup plotters had been brought to justice by the current government.

Last December, a prosecutor recommended life sentences for two former generals over the 1997 military memorandum.

The prosecutor requested that 60 suspects, including Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the then Chief of General Staff, and Cevik Bir, his then deputy, be produced for trial.

The case includes a total of 103 suspects.