56 Turkish soldiers on duty in Libya sacked from army after complaining about their superiors' mobbing

A total of 56 Turkish specialized sergeants on duty in Libya were sacked from the army after complaining about their superiors' mobbing.

Thursday December 16 2021 12:30 pm

Duvar English

A total of 56 Turkish contracted specialized sergeants on duty in Libya were sacked from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) after complaining about their superiors' mobbing.

The soldiers submitted their complaints to Turkey's Presidential Communications Center (CİMER) and said that their commanders were psychologically and physically abusing them.

In their petition, the soldiers said that they were threatened by their superiors.

"You don't deserve the money you're receiving. You are nothing. You can file a complaint against me wherever you want. It would take five minutes for me to fire you," the soldiers cited a commander telling them, the Deutsche Welle's Turkish service reported.

"I will make life unbearable for you," another commander reportedly told the soldiers.

Saying that they are forced to collect the trash left behind by Libyan soldiers and to do sports even when they're sick, the specialized sergeants noted that they feel humiliated and were alienated from their jobs.

"This situation tramples on the Turkish state and the Turkish Armed Forces," they said.

As the soldiers waited for news of an investigation into their commanders, they found out that those who submitted the complaint were going to be sent to Turkey. An administrative investigation was launched into the specialized soldiers and all of their contracts were canceled on Dec. 9.

The soldiers won't receive any compensation since they are accused of trying to intimidate their superiors, harming discipline within the army and preventing the foundation of a military atmosphere.

Upon the Defense Ministry's permission, another probe was launched into the soldiers over objecting to the Military Penal Code. They will face three years in prison.

Murat Altay, the lawyer of 37 soldiers, said that they also filed a complaint against the cancelation of contracts.