SADAT sues Kılıçdaroğlu for damages

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International Defense Consultancy Inc.(SADAT) filed a lawsuit for non-pecuniary damage against main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu yesterday (Jun 8).

Kılıçdaroğlu visited the headquarters of SADAT, in İstanbul Beylikdüzü on May 13, 2022, defined SADAT as a paramilitary organization and said "This is an organization that trains terrorists."

SADAT announced that they have filed a lawsuit for non-pecuniary damage worth 1,000,000 Lira (≈58,112 dollar) against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. ( 1 dollar ≈ 17.21 lira).

The written statement signed by Melih Tanrıverdi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SADAT, included the following:

"Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Leader of the Republican People's Party, came to the central office of our company with nearly 70 deputies and a total of 150 party supporters on the date of 13.05.2022 and forced the doors of our company. As a result of the so-called meeting request not being answered, he made unfair accusations targeting the prestige and reputation of our company, and this attack was published in all press and media organs, causing a negative perception about our company in the public opinion."

"At this point, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu not only damaged the reputation of our company with his unlawful attacks against our company for about a month but also launched an all-out offense against our company by targeting our company's managers, shareholders, and employees in the eyes of his voters and public opinion."

"As a result of all the statements made with an untrue, hostile and provocative language against our company's reputation, we have filed a lawsuit for non-pecuniary damage worth 1,000,000 Turkish Liras against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu."

What happened?

Kılıçdaroğlu wanted to visit the company's headquarters in İstanbul on May 13, 2022 but was not allowed in. Speaking to reporters outside the company, he described SADAT as a group "training terrorists," and its paramilitary activities would threaten election security.

The company has rejected Kılıçdaroğlu's allegations that it is engaged in paramilitary activities. Mehmet Naci Efe, an executive of the company, told daily BirGün that all of their activities abroad are within the knowledge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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About SADAT

SADAT Inc. is a military consulting firm based in Turkey. It was founded on February 28, 2012, by retired Brigadier General Adnan Tanrıverdi.

The mission stated by the company is "to establish a Defense Collaboration and Defense Industry Cooperation among Islamic Countries to help Islamic World take the place where it merits among Superpowers by providing Strategic Consultancy, Defense and Security Training and Supply Services to Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces of Islamic Countries."

The company states that it provides services such as military and internal training, defense consultancy, and ammunition purchase in the international arena.

Among the courses of the company, titles such as "Unconventional Warfare (counter-guerrilla)" and "Sharpshooting" draw attention. There are training packages such as "Land Operations", "Sharpshooting", "Protection", "Demolition", "Unconventional Warfare", "Forward Single Man Combat", "Artillery and Mortar Forward Surveillance", "Tank / Armored Vehicle Hunting."

Who works for it? According to reports in the media, the company employs between 50 and 200 retired Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) officers from various branches and specialties.

The company's services include consultancy, training, conventional military training, unconventional military training, special forces training, and army equipment, says its website.

SADAT Inc. has a sibling organization called ASSAM (Justice Defenders Strategic Studies Center), which has a more political focus, and was also founded by Tanrıverdi. ASSAM operates a "strategic research center" and hosts annual contracts.

Allegations

İYİ (Good) Party Chair Meral Akşener said in early 2018 that she had heard about the establishment of armed training camps in Konya and Tokat, and asked for an investigation.

It was previously claimed that 2,800 people had received "unconventional warfare" or "guerrilla training" in the training camps opened by SADAT in various places, which Akşener pointed out and demanded measures be taken.

SADAT was also on the agenda with the allegations that it had helped the Free Syrian Army during the Afrin operation in 2018 and that it went out on the streets and clashed with the soldiers during the coup attempt in 2016. It was also widely discussed that a statutory decree (KHK) was issued for SADAT, which brings judicial immunity to civilians.

Tanrıverdi had explained why they had founded SADAT as; "TSK provides training, consultancy, and equipment services to 22 Turkish and Muslim countries. But 60 Islamic countries can't meet all their needs in the field of defense. They foresee that they will meet this need, and we do this with the support of 64 officers and non-commissioned officers, respecting the religious sensitivities of Islamic countries."

(AÖ/TB)