According to information received from judicial sources, retired colonel Armağan was asked about the F-4 warplanes taking off from Malatya Erhaç Airport on March 25, 2009, around the time the helicopter carrying Yazıcıoğlu and his entourage crashed.

Investigative authorities showed records indicating that Ali Armağan and Ahmet Turhan were on the flight between 14.26 and 15.41 with the call number “HH721” on the day of the incident, and Ali Armağan and Nihat Biçer were on the flight between 10.30 and 12.12 with the call number “HH720” and the call number “D720”, and asked questions regarding this.

Claiming that he was not flying in the skies of Kahramanmaraş with F-16 pilots, Armağan claimed that he was on an intercept mission over Sivas when the helicopter crashed, and that the information sent by the General Staff was incorrect.

Asked whether he had made a TAKSAN flight over Kahramanmaraş with F-16 pilots Sedat Kılıçaslan and Tezcan Kaymaz, Armağan said, “The flight I made was a return service flight. I have not been on a TAKSAN flight.” made his defense.

Regarding the F-4 plane disappearing from the radar at some moments, Armağan said, “The reason why the F-4 disappeared from the radar for 4 minutes in the flight shown to me was that it flew at a low altitude that the radar could not detect. Whether the radar can see the plane depends on the structure of the region. If the place where the flight is flying is mountainous, the radar cannot display it.” he said.

ADİL ÖKsüz AND KEMAL BATMAZ WERE ASKED

Asked whether the telephone line used by FETO’s so-called Turkish Armed Forces imam, fugitive Adil Öksüz, and the operational line ending in “…05 50”, which had 152 contact records between February 21, 2012 and February 10, 2014, belonged to him, Armağan said, “The line does not belong to me. I do not remember who used it or whether it was used.” he claimed.

“Do you know Adil Öksüz and Kemal Batmaz?” Upon the question, Armağan used the following statements:

“I know about Kemal Batmaz from the allegations in the file in which I was previously tried and from the news published in the press after the July 15 process. Otherwise, I have no contact with Adil Öksüz and Kemal Batmaz, who are the secret imams of FETO. The reason why such allegations are made against me is because my phone and the phone used by my wife are based on the same source.”

Suspect Şerife Armağan responded to the question regarding her fingerprints on a book seized from Öksüz’s house in Sakarya and signed by the leader of the organization, Fetullah Gülen: “I do not know what the person does. I have no contact with him.” he replied.

Armağan was also asked questions about some notes, names, telephone numbers and IBAN information seized during the search of his residence.

Stating that these notes do not belong to him and that he does not know the names and numbers written on them, Armağan stated that the document titled “Officers who passed the 2004 Air Force Academy entrance exam” belongs to his wife.

The Western Black Sea Regional Meeting, organized by the AK Party Political and Legal Affairs Directorate, was held in a hotel in Abant Lake National Park.

AK Party Deputy Chairman Hayati Yazıcı, AK Party deputies, AK Party provincial chairmen and party members attended the meeting. Speaking at the opening of the two-day meeting, Yazıcı stated that the constitution had been amended 19 times and said, “As you know, the most important change has been the Presidential government system or presidential model, under the leadership of the alliance we call the People’s Alliance, after the brutal low coup attempt of July 15. Turkey will of course achieve this with a shared understanding by creating a new constitution together in the Parliament and then submitting it to a referendum for the approval of the nation. I hope this is our goal.” I think we can deliver it and we need to deliver it. It’s not like we don’t have problems, we have problems. One of the most important items on Türkiye’s agenda today is ‘Terror-free Türkiye.’ Our greatest strength is our unity, integrity, brotherhood. There is no value to measure this. The value of this is immeasurable and important. Therefore, as the People’s Alliance, necessary statements have been made on this issue and continue to be made. “Our road march continues,” he said.

‘THERE IS NO AREA WE HAVE NOT TAKEN INTO FOR 25 YEARS’

Yazıcı stated that legal regulation efforts for ‘Terror-Free Türkiye’ are continuing and said:

“A framework regulation and legal regulation will be made regarding this. Its work is continuing. While achieving this goal, we will never have an attitude that will hurt the souls of our martyrs or upset our veterans. I want you to know this. I hope we will save Türkiye from this disease by realizing what is in Türkiye’s interest, our nation’s goal, desire and benefit, together. We have been governing Türkiye for 25 years. There is no area that we have not touched for 25 years. Our policy is inclusive and encompassing. No problem of Türkiye is closed.” “We did not leave it behind or in the cellars. We addressed every issue through the process of determining priorities and built Türkiye and carried it to this day.”

The remaining part of the meeting will continue closed to the press.

According to information obtained from Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources, Fidan will visit Qatar tomorrow.

During his meetings within the scope of the visit, Fidan is expected to reiterate Türkiye’s strong solidarity and support against the attacks on Qatar, discuss the developing relations between Turkey and Qatar in every field on the basis of strategic partnership, and review the preparations for the 12th High Strategic Committee Meeting, which is planned to be hosted by Türkiye and chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamed Al Thani this year.

Fidan will point out that current developments in the region once again show the strategic value of cooperation in the field of military and defense, and the importance of addressing regional issues on the basis of dialogue and diplomacy, with an understanding of regional ownership, and strengthening joint efforts in this context. It is expected that Fidan will point out the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of connectivity, which is becoming increasingly critical in terms of economic stability and energy security.

During the meetings, Minister Fidan is planned to state that permanently ending the conflict in the Gulf and preventing re-escalation is the most urgent priority, and to exchange views on diplomatic initiatives and mediation efforts carried out in this direction, to emphasize the importance of ensuring full navigation safety in the Strait of Hormuz, to note the need to be vigilant against Israel’s destabilizing activities, and to share his assessments of the situation in Gaza and the developments within the scope of the Gaza Peace Plan.

Fidan last visited Qatar on May 11-12.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

The strategic partnership established between Türkiye and Qatar in 2014 is deepening in every field with mutual contacts at all levels and agreements signed.

The High Strategic Committee (YSK), which constitutes the highest level institutional framework of Turkey-Qatar relations, has been held every year since 2015 under the chairmanship of President Erdoğan and Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamed Al Thani, with alternating hosts of the two countries. The last YSK meeting was held in Doha on October 22, 2025. The next meeting is expected to be held in Türkiye this year.

The trade volume between Türkiye and Qatar reached 1.1 billion dollars in 2025. It is aimed to increase the bilateral trade volume to 5 billion dollars in the next period. The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries entered into force on August 1, 2025.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, “As a nation whose 253 children were martyred by the coup plotters on the night of July 15, our basic expectation from the international community is that they support Türkiye’s just struggle. Global peace, security and prosperity can only be achieved with a determined and uncompromising fight and sincere cooperation against terrorist organizations without discrimination.” he said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wrote an article titled “The July 15 Resistance is Unprecedented in the History of World Democracy” for the international public on the 10th anniversary of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day. With his article published in more than 250 media in 44 countries, President Erdoğan gave a strong message to the world public about the Turkish nation’s commitment to democracy.

Article; Italy, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Korea, Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Senegal, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, USA, Syria, Turkmenistan, Iraq, Hungary, Greece, Sweden, Kenya, Bulgaria, People’s Republic of China, Republic of South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Republic of Chad, Cameroon, Morocco, Croatia, Romania, Russia, Germany, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Libya, France, Poland, It was published on July 15 in a total of 44 countries, including England, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Indonesia, Austria, Palestine, Pakistan and Kuwait.

President Erdoğan’s article, published in more than 250 different media around the world, attracted intense attention from the international press and public. In addition to Turkish, the article was published in 24 languages: English, Italian, Arabic, French, German, Korean, Hasuan (Nigeria), Kyrgyz, Azerbaijani, Russian, Turkmen, Hungarian, Greek, Swedish, Swahili (Kenya), Bulgarian, Chinese, Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian, Uzbek, Kazakh and Polish; In addition to the world’s leading newspapers, it was also featured in magazines, news portals, news channels and social media accounts of media organizations.

“THE HEROIC RESISTANCE OF THE TURKISH NATION IS UNPRECEDENTED IN WORLD HISTORY”

In his article; Describing the treacherous coup attempt that took place 10 years ago as one of the most brutal coup attempts in Turkish political history, President Erdoğan emphasized that the heroic resistance shown by the Turkish nation on the night of July 15 and afterwards was unprecedented in the history of world democracy.

In the article where President Erdoğan underlines that there can be no power greater than the power of the people; He noted that by resisting at the expense of his life in order to protect the independence, democratic achievements and free will of the Turkish nation, he signed an epic of national will that will be told with pride from generation to generation.

“TERRORISM-FREE Türkiye PROCESS WILL ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PEACE OF OUR REGION”

Erdoğan stated that, inspired by the brave stance of the nation, action was taken quickly to eliminate the negative effects of the treacherous attempt and said:

We have urgently implemented structural regulations that will eliminate any formation that could harm democratic functioning through non-political means in all institutions of the state as a source of threat. Subsequently, we achieved critical success in the operations we carried out at home and abroad with the strategy of destroying other terrorist organizations we fought against. Finally, we started the Terror-Free Türkiye process, which is a new page in our own story of unity and solidarity. This process, which is one of the fundamental thresholds of our Türkiye Century vision, is taking firm steps forward with an encompassing and embracing approach, with the efforts of our relevant security units and the support of the political establishment. I believe that the success of the terrorism-free Türkiye process will contribute to the peace of our region as well as our country.

In his evaluation, President Erdoğan said; He also underlined that strong steps have been taken for a more prosperous future in many sectors, from energy to transportation, from health to agriculture, from technology to defense industry, against this coup attempt that also targets Türkiye’s economic welfare and development.

“WE DEVELOPED OUR BRAND PRODUCTS THAT ARE APPRECIATED WORLDWIDE”

Stating that a strong breakthrough has been made in the defense, aviation and space industries with the National Technology Move initiated in the last 10 years, President Erdoğan said, “We have developed electric and smart transportation systems, and tried to be worthy of our nation’s sacrifice with strong investments in the field of health and agriculture. In this process, we have also developed our brand products that are appreciated worldwide. Among these, our electric car TOGG, our national combat aircraft KAAN, our national corvettes and unmanned aerial vehicles are the first that come to mind.” he said.

President Erdoğan said, “Wherever there is oppression or injustice, we have become the voice of international law, justice and conscience. If, at the point we have reached today, Turkey is defined as a country whose contribution is sought in regional and global issues, whose words are respected and whose opinions are consulted, behind this success lies the will of our beloved nation, who defended its independence and future at the expense of its life on the night of July 15.” He reminded that in the past 10 years, Türkiye has stood out as an important actor in resolving crises and conflicts at both regional and global levels with its entrepreneurial foreign policy approach.

CALL FOR COOPERATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

President Erdogan; He emphasized that the issue of combating terrorism, for which international cooperation is essential, will continue to be at the top of the foreign policy agenda and said:

As it is known, the process of internal disintegration of FETO’s foreign structure has accelerated in the last two years. However, we are aware that some countries currently support this organization, albeit covertly, and shelter its members. I would like to take this opportunity to underline the need to be careful against FETO, which sees any means as permissible to achieve its goals, takes on all kinds of disguises, and does not hesitate to exploit all kinds of concepts, including democracy, freedom and human rights. As a nation whose 253 children were martyred by the coup plotters on the night of July 15, our basic expectation from the international community is that they support Türkiye’s just struggle. Global peace, security and prosperity can only be achieved through a determined and uncompromising fight and sincere cooperation against terrorist organizations without discrimination.

The 12th Judicial Package, prepared to speed up the judiciary, was accepted in the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The regulation concerns approximately 400 thousand files at the investigation and prosecution stage. With the regulation, the penalties for IBAN victims were halved, while heirs had priority in inheritance sales. In civil cases, the hearing interval will not be longer than 3 months at most.

DISCOUNT FOR IBAN VICTIMS
An ‘effective regret’ mechanism will be created for IBAN victims. In case the unfair benefit obtained from the crime is returned, the damage of the victim is compensated, and the perpetrator contributes to the investigation or prosecution, effective remorse provisions can be applied to the perpetrator and the penalty will be reduced.

PRIORITY TO THE HEIRS
The regulation for keeping inherited real estate within the family was also included in the package. Accordingly, priority will be given to the heirs in immovable properties that the owners acquired by inheritance and where third parties other than the heirs have no ownership rights.

TORTURE CRIMES
The regulation regarding the postponement of the announcement of the verdict will not be applied to crimes of torture and torment, and crimes committed by a public official due to his/her duty and which will be considered ill-treatment within the scope of the article of the Constitution titled “immunity, material and moral existence of the person”.

TRIAL PERIOD WILL BE SHORTED
The period between hearings cannot be longer than 3 months. In cases of necessity, such as the prolongation of the expert examination or the conduct of investigation procedures through rogatory, the judge may determine a longer period by stating the reason.

Yunus Emre Institute, one of Türkiye’s cultural diplomacy institutions, organized comprehensive commemoration events in different geographies of the world within the scope of the 10th anniversary of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day. The struggle for democracy during FETO’s coup attempt on July 15, 2016 was explained on international platforms through events organized in a wide network extending from Europe to Africa, from Asia to the American continent.

Today, Yunus Emre Institute operates in 72 countries with approximately 92 cultural centers on 6 continents. The Institute, which has become one of the most widespread cultural institutions in the world with its Turkish teaching and cultural diplomacy activities, also carried out its July 15 commemoration programs through this global network.

EXTENSIVE PROGRAM

As part of the commemoration events, photo exhibitions were opened in many countries, while panels, conferences, interviews, documentaries and film screenings, and martyrs’ commemoration programs were organized. Anadolu Agency photo exhibitions depicting Türkiye’s struggle for democracy also met with visitors in many centres. In the programs, the events of the night of July 15 were conveyed to the participants in different languages.

EVENTS IN DOZENS OF COUNTRIES

Ambassadors, academics, representatives of Turkish institutions, students and local guests attended the programs held at Yunus Emre Institute centers in Malaysia, Egypt, Italy, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Libya, Japan and many other countries. Quran recitations, prayer programs, poetry recitals and video screenings were also held at the events.

IT WILL LAST UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH

The event calendar prepared by YEE within the scope of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day will continue in different countries until the end of July. Thus, the Institute aims to keep not only Turkish culture but also Türkiye’s struggle for democracy alive in the international memory.