General Yaşar Güler’s Interesting Connection with Kemal Eskintan: Kadir Sazoğlu

On July 15, the inconsistencies and ambiguities in the words, attitudes, and behaviors of the commanders during the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) summit further intensified the confusion and chaos within the TSK. In addition to this series of suspicious behaviors and seemingly deliberate negligence, the meetings conducted by the chain of command in violation of established protocols—and the efforts to conceal these meetings—raise serious questions about the truthfulness of the narratives presented by the government and its allies regarding July 15.

One particularly intriguing matter is the meeting held on July 15 between General Yaşar Güler, then Deputy Chief of the General Staff, and retired noncommissioned officer Kadir Sazoğlu.

General Yaşar Güler, who stated that he was attending a critically important counter-terrorism meeting that day, interrupted this significant meeting to take a phone call, and subsequently met with Kadir Sazoğlu.

The fact that Kadir Sazoğlu, a retired member of the TSK, was able to meet with the Deputy Chief of the General Staff on such a busy day appears to be entirely contrary to military protocols.

Who is Kadir Sazoğlu?

Kadir Sazoğlu is a retired TSK member who once served as General Yaşar Güler’s official driver. At the time, he was also the driver of Kemal Eskintan, the Head of the Special Operations Department of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT).

What makes this brief and irregular visit by Kadir Sazoğlu to General Güler even more interesting is its timing. The visit took place after the report made to MIT by Major O.K., which raises further questions.

• Did Yaşar Güler report this meeting and its contents to the official authorities?
   
• Has Kadir Sazoğlu been questioned regarding this meeting?
   
• Did Kemal Eskintan have any role in this meeting?
   
• Is the relationship between General Yaşar Güler and MIT Special Operations Department Head Kemal Eskintan in accordance with official protocols?

Considering Kemal Eskintan’s role and activities before and after July 15, the nature of his relationship with General Yaşar Güler—and the apparent efforts to conceal it—warrants detailed investigation and could be illuminating in the context of the July 15 events.

However, despite defense attorneys in the July 15 trials requesting the testimonies of Kemal Eskintan and Kadir Sazoğlu, the courts reportedly rejected these requests.

Umut Güçlüer