28th Anniversary of February 28 Coup – Breaking News in Turkey
28 Years After the “Post-Modern” Coup: A Look Back at February 28 in Turkish Political History
As the tanks rolled through Ankara Sincan, it marked the beginning of a period that would leave lasting imprints on Turkish political history. The National Security Council meeting on February 28, 1997, lasting 9 hours, came to define this era, now known as the “post-modern” coup.
Prior to the meeting, there was already a tense political atmosphere in the country. The military accused the Refah-Yol Government, led by Necmettin Erbakan and Tansu Çiller, of engaging in reactionary activities. Erbakan’s actions such as hosting an iftar dinner at the Prime Ministry Residence, visiting Iran and Libya as Prime Minister, and promoting headscarf actions were topics of discussion.
The Jerusalem night event in Sincan, Ankara, further escalated tensions, leading to the appearance of tanks in the streets. The Council eventually announced 18 decisions on February 28, emphasizing the need to protect secularism and enforce certain laws, such as implementing 8-year uninterrupted education, closing sects, and controlling media groups.
Following these decisions, a closure case was initiated against the Welfare Party, leading to Necmettin Erbakan’s resignation from the Prime Ministry in June. Mesut Yılmaz of the Opposition Motherland Party was tasked with forming the new government.
Fifteen years later, the coups were revisited in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, with a lawsuit filed in 2013. After 5 years, the Chief of General Staff İsmail Hakkı Karadayı and General Staff 2, Çevik Bir, were sentenced to life imprisonment. The Supreme Court of Appeals approved the life imprisonment of 14 defendants in August 2021, overturned 4 life sentences, and lifted penalties for 12 defendants due to statute of limitations.
Several defendants, including former General Staff members, were sent to prison following the ruling. Some were released due to health issues, while others had their penalties removed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Sadly, Vural Avar, aged 85 and suffering from dementia, passed away in Sincan F Type Prison on December 20, 2022.
As we reflect on the 28th anniversary of the February 28 events, it serves as a reminder of the tumultuous period in Turkish history and the lasting impact it had on the political landscape.
