Turhan Dilmaç: ''The rebels and FETÖ will go down in history of Turkey as one of unpleasant pages''

Consul General of Turkey in Kazan recalls the last year's coup and names those responsible for the coup attempt

On 15 July 2016, the whole world was shaken by the attempt of military coup in Turkey. However, the coup attempt failed, and the position of Erdoğan in the country only strengthened. Consul General of the Turkish Republic in Kazan Turhan Dilmaç in the newspaper column written for Realnoe Vremya recalls the disturbing events that occurred a year ago. The columnist points to those who, according to him, directed the actions of the coup.

''All the experiences of this day was a vivid example of civil resistance''

Exactly a year ago on 15 July, there was a bloody coup attempt aimed at the destruction of the democratic foundations in Turkey.

Turkish people at the call of their president, regardless of political affiliation, took to the streets, they were near the elected leadership and repelled the coup attempt.

All the experiences of this day was a vivid example of civil resistance of our people against the attempts of violent change of the power. In the world history such examples are rare.

People from different countries, sitting before TV screens, watched the courageous resistance and victory of the will of the Turkish people. We know that in Russia, as well as in our consular district, primarily in Tatarstan, people with empathy followed the developments of the events in Turkey.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was among the first world leaders who called and expressed support to President of Turkey Erdoğan. Tatarstan President Minnikhanov also immediately after the military coup attempt sent letters of support to the country's authorities headed by the president.

The Turkish people will not forget the support, understanding and sensible approach Tatarstan and Russia expressed in those moments when some countries were hesitating in their decision to support democracy.

''Vladimir Putin was among the first world leaders who called and expressed support to President of Turkey Erdoğan.'' Photo: kremlin.ru

''Semi-secret sect formed around the personality cult of one man''

Who was behind this bloody and violent coup attempt?

It is known that those who wanted to create a rule of the junta, overthrowing the elected president and the government, are associated with Fethullah Gülen, who currently resides in the USA.

It is a semi-secret sect formed around the personality cult of one man and based on perverted religious ideas, for many years deliberately infiltrated in various government agencies, primarily the armed forces and security agencies of Turkey. Moreover, they did not hesitate to cooperate with other countries, putting their interests above the interests of Turkey.

Russia is one of the countries that first recognized the danger coming from the terrorist organization of Fethullah Gülen (FETÖ), which during the attempted coup sacrificed the life of 250 innocent civilians.

In Russia, the activity of this group was banned by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in 2008. At the same time, the educational institutions, which were artfully used to recruit new members to the organization, were transferred under the jurisdiction of state bodies.

''Russia is one of the countries that first recognized the danger coming from the terrorist organization of Fethullah Gülen.'' Photo: haber7.com

''In Russia there are no people who share FETÖ ideas''

Perhaps, in Russia there are some people sympathetic to the organization, which under the guise of false statements about tolerance and the dialogue of religions, as well as the alleged educational activities, led its hidden work. Perhaps, special sympathy they evoked in Tatarstan, because at the time people came here from brotherly Turkey, opened schools under the title ''Turkish-Tatar high lyceums'', although they had no right to give such name to their schools.

In connection with the events that have taken place lately, which peaked in last year's coup attempt, and given the fact that it had previously been banned in Russia, I think there are no people who share their ideas left.

Most importantly, the rebels and the organization FETÖ will remain in the long history of Turkey as one of the offensive pages, and the struggle of the Turkish people, who defended their country, the elected leadership, the ruling and opposition parties, the democratic foundations of the state, will be remembered forever.

By Turhan Dilmaç