Ex-deputy to pay moral compensation to military firm

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SADAT (International Defense Consultancy Construction Industry and Trade Inc.) has won a moral compensation lawsuit it filed based on the question submitted to the Parliament by former HDP MP Hüda Kaya, seeking a response from then-Vice President Fuat Oktay.

The court sentenced Kaya to pay a fine of 35,000 lira, claiming that she had "attacked personal rights" of SADAT.

Commenting on the decision, Kaya stated, "They are trying to intimidate me through the law, and I do not accept this. I stand by my statements and the parliamentary question I submitted regarding SADAT."

"Such a decision shouldn't exist in a state of law"

Reminding that Article 83 of the Constitution provides legislative immunity for members of parliament, Kaya said, "A member of parliament is legally protected in relation to their speeches, parliamentary questions. Targeting my legislative duties, going to court and obtaining such a decision is not something that should happen in a state of law."

"Response came not from the Parliament but from the court"

Kaya recalled that she had submitted the parliamentary question after the killing of Deniz Poyraz at the HDP building in Izmir by an armed attacker. She stated, "After Deniz Poyraz's murder, some photos were published, and allegations related to SADAT's involvement were raised. As a member of parliament, I made statements about these allegations.

"Later, following extensive research on SADAT, I, as an MP submitted a parliamentary question requesting a response from Fuat Oktay. However, instead of a response from the Parliament or the presidential palace, I am being reprimanded through the legal system. This is not something that can happen in a state of law. SADAT should not have the legal right to take such action. I stand by my words; all these allegations will come to light in a more democratic and transparent rule of law."

Kaya also mentioned that they have not yet received official notification of the decision and stated that they will appeal the ruling.

SADAT Previously Filed a Lawsuit Against Kılıçdaroğlu

CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu visited the SADAT Headquarters in Beylikdüzü on May 13, 2022, and made a statement there.

Kılıçdaroğlu had said, "I would like everyone to know this, the CHP will make every effort for the election to take place in this country through democratic means. Organizations like SADAT, no matter who they are, if there is anything that will overshadow the election, disrupt the security of the election, the responsibility stands here and in the palace. I am expressing this to our entire nation."

SADAT had filed a 1 million lira compensation lawsuit against Kılıçdaroğlu due to these statements. In the court hearing held on April 28, 2023, the court had ruled for Kılıçdaroğlu to pay 30,000 lira in compensation.

About SADAT 

What is SADAT: International Defense Consultancy Construction Industry and Trade Inc., or SADAT Inc., is a Turkey-based military consultancy company founded by retired Brigadier General Adnan Tanrıverdi on February 28, 2012.

The company's stated mission is to provide strategic consultancy, internal security, and military training as well as equipment services to the Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces, thereby contributing to the creation of a defense and defense industry cooperation environment among Islamic countries and helping the Islamic world take its rightful place among the world's superpowers.

What it does:  SADAT claims to offer services in the international arena, including military and internal training, defense consultancy, and arms procurement.

Noteworthy among the courses offered by the company are titles such as "Unconventional Warfare (Counter-Guerrilla)" and "Sniper Training." Training packages include topics like "Land Operation," "Sniper Training," "Protection," "Destruction," "Unconventional Warfare," "Advanced Combatant Combat," "Artillery and Forward Observer," and "Tank / Armored Vehicle Hunting."

SADAT Inc. has a sister organization called ASSAM, which has a more political focus. ASSAM operates as a strategic research center.

Who is involved: The company employs between 50 and 200 retired Turkish Armed Forces personnel from various branches and areas of expertise.

Allegations about SADAT: İYİ Party Chairperson Meral Akşener raised the issue of the establishment of armed training camps in Konya and Tokat by SADAT and called for an investigation.

SADAT, which Akşener pointed out and demanded preventive measures, had been in the spotlight in the past for opening extensive training camps in various places, where it was claimed that 2,800 people received "unconventional warfare" or "guerrilla" training.

SADAT had also come under scrutiny for allegedly providing support to the Free Syrian Army during the Afrin operation in 2018 and for taking to the streets during the coup attempt in 2016, engaging in clashes with soldiers. Additionally, it had been widely discussed that the statutory decree granting judicial immunity to civilians during the coup attempt was issued for SADAT.

(RT/PE)