Türkiye is commemorating the 10th anniversary of the epic of democracy written by the nation with its bare hands against the treacherous coup attempt of FETO on July 15, 2016. Within the scope of the commemoration programs that started on July 14 and will continue until midnight today, squares in 81 provinces were decorated with flags. Events organized to commemorate our martyrs and express our gratitude to our veterans are held simultaneously all over the country. July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day events organized this year under the coordination of the Presidency Directorate of Communications with the theme “Our Will, Our Victory”; President Tayyip Erdoğan’s giant meeting in Ankara will witness a historic example of loyalty with the participation of millions all over the country. The biggest address of the commemoration programs this year will be Ankara Capital National Garden at 18.00 today. The determination to uphold the national will will once again be strongly emphasized at the ceremonies, which will be held under the auspices of the Presidency and expected to be attended by approximately 20 thousand citizens. President Erdoğan’s address will be broadcast live on giant screens installed in the squares of 81 provinces.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan went to Qatar for a condolence visit on the death of former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. President Erdoğan, who was welcomed by Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saud bin Abdurrahman bin Hasan Al Thani at Hamad International Airport, proceeded to Lusail Palace. Here, President Erdoğan offered his condolences to Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. His wife Emine Erdoğan, who accompanied Erdoğan during the visit, also expressed her condolences to Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, wife of the former Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away. President Erdoğan’s delegation also included Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek, MİT President İbrahim Kalın, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, President of Religious Affairs Safi Arpaguş and Türkiye’s Ambassador to Doha Mustafa Göksu. Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani had been receiving treatment for a long time. 74-year-old Al Thani died on July 12, and 4 days of mourning were declared in the country.

PAKISTAN RECEIVED THE COMMANDER OF DEFENSE FORCES
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received the Commander of Pakistan Defense Forces and Commander of the Land Forces, Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The reception took place at Ankara Airport before President Erdoğan’s visit to this country due to the death of former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu and MİT President İbrahim Kalın were also present at the reception.

‘Get well soon’ call to TRNC PRESIDENT
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke on the phone with Tufan Erhürman, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). It was stated that during the meeting, Erdoğan expressed his wishes to get well soon to Erhürman, who fell ill a while ago, was treated and discharged.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a written message to the symposium titled “July 15 in its 10th Anniversary with its Political and Legal Aspects” organized by the AK Party Political and Legal Affairs Directorate. In his message, President Erdoğan stated that the insidious structure of FETO, with all its elements, was revealed on the night of July 15 and said:
A BRAND NEW PAGE: I remember with mercy each of our 253 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence of our state and the future of our nation on the night of July 15. The real intention of the treason network, which exploited the sincere feelings of our nation for 40 years by saying “service”, “charity” and “education”, was revealed on the night of July 15. However, the successful repelling of the coup attempt with the resistance of our beloved nation has opened a brand new page for Türkiye. Türkiye has both gotten rid of an insidious terrorist organization that infiltrated the capillaries of the state and taken steps to secure its democracy.
RESISTANCE INCREASED WITH THE NEW SYSTEM: Undoubtedly, the most important of these is our new management system. With the Presidential Government System, our nation’s nearly two-century-long search for a governance model has found its answer. Thanks to the new system that eliminates double-headedness, accelerates decision-making processes and increases the effectiveness of the state, Türkiye’s resistance to shocks has increased, its political stability has been institutionalized, and its crisis management capacity has been strengthened as never before.
WE WILL WORK WITH OUR POWER: The advantages that the new system provides to our country have been seen in every field, from the Russia-Ukraine war to the coronavirus epidemic, from healing the wounds of the February 6 earthquakes to the latest Iran-centered crisis. As a state and nation, we are determined to preserve these historical gains and bring Türkiye to the levels it deserves. We will never step back in the fight against FETO, and we will continue our fight within the law against this treason network that subcontracts the enemies of Türkiye. We will work with all our strength to prevent new July 15s from happening.

ALL WERE REFERRED TO THE CRIMINAL JUDGE OF PEACE WITH A REQUEST FOR ARREST

After completing their statements at the prosecutor’s office, all 30 of the suspects were referred to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on duty with a request for arrest.

24 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED INCLUDING MAYOR GÜNER

The proceedings of the suspects, including Çankaya Mayor Güner, who were referred to the criminal judgeship of peace with a request for arrest, have been completed.

While 24 suspects, including Güner, were arrested, 6 suspects were released with an international travel ban and judicial control.

Here are the names of those arrested:

1-Hüseyin Can GÜNER
2-Tunç Emre TAŞÇIOĞLU
3-Yavuz İRS
4-Adnan ŞEN
5-Ertan DOĞAN
6- Seyfullah YÜZYIL
7-Şenol BULUT
8-Hasan ALAS
9-Mehmet ALAS
10-Mesut AKINCI
11-Ahmet AĞIRMAN
12-Alaattin GÜZEL
13-Remzi BAKA
14-Emre DOĞAN
15-Mustafa Samet DADANDI
16-Mehmet YILDIRIM
17-Bora ÖZEL
18-Ali YALÇIN
19-E’s KAPLAN
20-Levent YENAL
21-Kurtku grew up
22-Erol BULUT
23-Hakan CEMALOĞLU
24-Songül ULUSAL

The heroes who stood in front of the tanks and shielded their chests from bullets sacrificed their lives and blood for the sake of our independence. That night, our beloved nation showed the whole world that no treacherous power could take Türkiye hostage. The trust of our martyrs, the honorable struggle of our veterans and the courage of our nation will always live in our hearts.

THE SMALLEST HEARTS, THE BIGGEST COURAGE

Among those who took to the streets against the weapons of FETO traitors on the night of July 15, there were also child heroes in the prime of their lives. Some did not let go of their father’s hand, some ran to the streets upon President Erdoğan’s call, and some walked to martyrdom while helping the injured. They fought on the front lines for the independence of the homeland, without fear of tanks, helicopters and bullets raining down on them.

THEIR LIFE IS SHORT, THEIR MARKS ARE ETERNAL

From Abdullah Tayyip to Engin, from Mahir to Uhud Kadir, each of them showed courage beyond their age. They became the most innocent heroes of the July 15 epic with their unfinished dreams and painful stories they left behind. They were young, but the epic they wrote with their love of the country was etched in the memory of the nation.

Breaking news: AK Party Group Deputy Chairman Leyla Şahin Usta made statements about the ‘children dragged into crime’ regulation. Leyla Şahin Usta noted that the family of the child dragged into crime will also be punished. Leyla Şahin Usta said, “If the specified conditions are met, children between the ages of 15-18 will be sentenced to life imprisonment or aggravated life imprisonment, at the discretion of the judge.” he said.

“IT IS AIMED TO STRENGTHEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FAMILY OVER THE CHILD”

Stating that the lower and upper limits of prison sentences will be increased with the regulation in Article 31 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), Usta continued as follows:

“A regulation is envisaged not to apply any penalty reduction, at the discretion of the judge, for children in the 15-18 age group who commit the crimes of intentional murder and aggravated injury due to its consequences, taking into account the severity of the intentional fault, the purpose and motive, the way the crime was committed, and the fact that they were previously sentenced to prison for an intentional crime. Thus, if the specified conditions are met, children between the ages of 15-18 will be sentenced to life imprisonment or aggravated life imprisonment at the discretion of the judge.” “The regulation regarding the punishment of the child will be implemented. Again, in the case of children between the ages of 12-15 who commit the crimes of intentional murder and aggravated wounding due to its consequences, the judge is given the discretionary power to receive a sentence and the possibility of a lesser sentence reduction.”

Usta stated that by reducing the age limit for applying the recidivism provisions in the Turkish Penal Code from 18 to 15, it is aimed to prevent children in the 15-18 age group from being used in crime by criminal organizations and to provide deterrence.

Stating that the lower and upper limits of the penalty for the crime of “violation of the obligation arising from family law” in the Turkish Penal Code will also be increased, Usta said, “It is also aimed to strengthen the responsibility of the family on the child by increasing from half to two times the penalty to be given to the parents in case the child commits the crime of intentional murder and aggravated injury due to the violation of the obligation arising from family law.” he said.

Stating that the execution of the sentences of child convicts will begin in closed juvenile penal institutions, Usta stated that the child convicts will be allocated to educational homes if they are determined to be of “good behavior”.

Leyla Şahin Usta said:

“In calculating the conditional release period for intentional murder crimes, crimes committed against sexual immunity, the crime of manufacturing and trading drugs or stimulants, and the crime of forming an organization for the purpose of committing a crime, the practice of considering 1 day spent in the execution institution until the child turns 15 as 2 days will be abandoned, and 1 day will be taken into account as 1 day. By keeping the firearm contrary to the obligation of care and attention, this weapon will not be seized by the child. “A prison sentence of 1 to 3 years is imposed on the person who caused this.”

“NEW GUIDANCE MEASURES ARE BEING INTRODUCED”

AK Party Group Deputy Chairman Usta stated that the sale, purchase and carrying by children of cutting, piercing and bruising tools, which are outside the scope of the Law on Firearms, Knives and Other Tools, will be prohibited and administrative sanctions will be applied to these actions.

Explaining the new regulations in the proposal, Usta said:

“In line with the child rights approach, by adopting the expression ‘child in judicial process’ instead of the phrase ‘child dragged into crime’ in the legislation, we aim to use a terminology that more strongly reflects the presumption of innocence and child-oriented approach for children for whom there is no final judicial decision. In addition to the protective and supportive measures in the form of shelter, education, health, consultancy and care for children who are not criminally responsible, ‘social and community services measure’, ‘digital risks protection measure’, ‘book and library measure’, “New guidance measures such as ‘respect for the environment and environmental cleanliness measure’ and ‘behavioral addiction measure against tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, gambling, drugs and stimulants’ are being introduced. Thus, it is aimed to rehabilitate children without criminal liability more effectively and prepare them for social life.”

Emphasizing that a mechanism will be established between the hospital and the courthouse to enable rapid and effective decision-making so that children who pose a danger to themselves or others due to mental illness or addiction can access the treatment and protection services they need without delay, Usta stated that if it is decided to postpone the announcement of the verdict about the children, guidance measures that support education, social adaptation and rehabilitation will be implemented during the probation process.

Usta stated that issuing an indictment against children under the age of 15 without obtaining a social investigation report will be among the reasons for the return of the indictment.

Underlining that inter-institutional coordination will be strengthened in order to effectively implement the protective and supportive precautionary measures given for children, Usta stated that mothers, fathers, guardians and people responsible for care will be ensured to act in accordance with the decisions.

When a journalist asked how life and aggravated life imprisonment would be given to children between the ages of 15 and 18, Usta said that some criteria and conditions were determined here. Pointing out that the judge is not only given discretionary power, Usta noted that the judge will use his discretionary power in cases of “the severity of the fault based on intent, the purpose and motive, the way the crime was committed, and having previously been sentenced to imprisonment for a deliberate crime.” Usta reported that a similar practice exists in England, France and Germany.

Stating that the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly is planned to work until the end of this month before going into recess, Usta added that the aim is to discuss and enact the proposal before the Parliament goes into recess.