Turkish officials lambast ex-soldiers' 'declaration'

Ankara's Chief Public Prosecutor on April 4 launched an investigation into a declaration released by 104 retired admirals over remarks made by Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop on the Montreux Convention.

The declaration has drawn strong reactions from the government and officials.

The Turkish Armed Forces cannot be used as a vehicle for ambitions of a person or persons who do not have any duties and responsibilities, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The declaration will "only negatively affect the morale and motivation of its staff and make the enemies happy," said the ministry and emphasized that publishing such a declaration "will do nothing but harm our democracy."

"We firmly believe that the independent Turkish judiciary will do what is necessary," noted the statement.

Vice President Fuat Oktay called out the coup supporters who are "unwilling to accept" the will of the nation and who targeted democratic institutions.

Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın said the statement is "reminiscent of coup periods" and made the former soldiers "a laughingstock."

"Know your place and stay where you are," he added.

"These retirees, who've not been seen for years, are creating chaos with their agendas," Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop said.

Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said the admirals should not use their ranks and uniforms as a means to push their political rhetoric.

Turkey's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun underlined that the nation has the last word.

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli said, "The rank of admirals who signed the declaration prepared in the style of a memorandum and served at midnight should be removed. [Their] Pension rights should...