Turkey detains 10 retired admirals over 'declaration'

Turkey on April 5 detained 10 retired admirals after 104 of them signed a letter over remarks made by Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop on the Montreux Convention. 

The Ankara chief public prosecutor's office said arrest warrants have been issued for the 10. Prosecutors also ordered four other suspects to report to Ankara police within three days, opting not to detain them because of their age.

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.

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