Turkish generals who served at NATO are imprisoned in Turkey, pro-Erdoğan leader says

Doğu Perinçek, leader of the ultranationalist Homeland Party (VP), known for his anti-Western stance and support for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has boasted that Turkish generals who served at NATO are in prison in Turkey, referring to a post-coup crackdown on Turkey’s military in which thousands of personnel were dismissed and jailed, the OdaTV news website reported on Tuesday.

Perinçek voiced strong support for Erdoğan after a controversial military coup attempt took place in Turkey on the night of July 15, 2016.

According to many, the putsch was a false flag aimed at entrenching the authoritarian rule of Erdoğan by rooting out dissidents and eliminating powerful actors such as the military in his desire for absolute power.

Perinçek time and again said the post-coup crackdown on Turkey’s military was aimed at purging the army of pro-NATO officers.

“Where is NATO in Turkey today? In prison. [Turkish] generals [who served at] NATO are currently imprisoned,” Perinçek said during a press conference held at his party’s İstanbul headquarters.

Saying that Russia’s “war against NATO” and US sanctions on Russia presented extraordinary opportunities for Turkey, Perinçek said Turkey should make good use of this “golden opportunity” and contribute to the establishment of a “new world.”

“A peaceful new order is approaching. An order brought by Asian countries,” Perinçek said and added that Turkey would not recognize sanctions on Russia and Iran.

“Sanctions on Russia are sanctions on Turkey,” he said.

The VP leader said this “new world” was being built by the armed forces and that Turkey was playing a historic role with its armed forces in creating the new order.

After announcing that the coup had been foiled, the Turkish government immediately launched a purge of military officers, judges, diplomats, police officers and others in state institutions under which more than 130,000 civil servants were dismissed from their jobs.

After the coup attempt, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the failed putsch had created gaps in the alliance since Turkey sacked thousands of military officers over alleged involvement in the attempt.