It’s Thursday, 27th July 2023, twelve days after the seventh anniversary of the failed coup attempt in Turkey. The incident continues to unfold, exposing a tragic, false flag, full-scale state conspiracy. What was once thought of as a self-plotted attack on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan now appears to be a homegrown or an inside job. Regret, condemnation, and news alerts persist, accompanied by daily emerging insights and even a novel written by a teenage high schooler from the land in exile.
As I scan through the headlines on my desk, one particular story catches my attention: “Elderly Bedridden Patient M. Said Türk’s Family Worries as Postponement Request for Execution is Denied.” The news disturbs me deeply, sparking internal reflections on political, social, human, ethical, moral, and faith-related issues. I find myself questioning the justice behind such a decision.
The story introduces us to an 86-year-old bedridden patient named Mustafa Said Türk, who suffered a brain hemorrhage five years ago and is entirely dependent on caregivers for his basic needs. His family is distressed as there is a possibility of him being taken to prison due to an upheld prison sentence. The images accompanying the story depict the severity of the situation, showing two people trying to support someone, and an elderly man lying in bed, seemingly in a deep sleep. His wife, a veiled lady, appears puzzled and unaware of the circumstances.
Further investigation reveals that Mr. Türk, a highly disabled Turkish citizen, faces the threat of jail time after his 10-year sentence for alleged links to the Gulen Movement was upheld by a top appeals court. He has suffered two brain hemorrhages in the last five years, had a heart attack last year, and requires four insulin injections daily. His son expresses disbelief and confusion over the authorities’ decision to imprison his ailing father.
Notably, Mr. Türk’s case is not an isolated incident, as the Turkish government under Erdogan’s leadership has exhibited animosity towards philanthropists and anyone associated with the Hizmet (Service) Movement and its founder, Fethullah Gulen, living in exile in the US. The movement has been unjustly labeled a “terrorist organization,” and Erdogan has vowed to make life unbearable for anyone linked to Gulen, no matter where they reside.
The inhumane treatment of individuals like Mr. Türk, along with the heart-wrenching story of young Ahmet, who died of cancer while his mother was denied the chance to travel for medical care due to her association with the Gulen Movement, exposes the current state of affairs in Turkey. Some children are born and raised in jail, others live in exile with their parents, and many are denied proper adoption arrangements.
The situation in Erdogan’s Turkey brings to mind the condemnation expressed by the Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, and writer, Marcus Tullius Cicero, more than two thousand years ago. He resisted the rise of dictatorship and urged politicians to prioritize the interests of those they represent over their own private interests. Unfortunately, these values seem to be absent in Erdogan’s governance, where corruption prevails, and Hizmet is scorned.
In conclusion, Erdogan’s era raises serious concerns about justice, compassion, and adherence to ethical principles. It echoes Cicero’s outcry, “O tempora! O mores!” as the prevailing norms and behavior betray the true nature of a nation and its leadership. The state of affairs in Turkey stands as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding justice and protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations.
