On the 10th anniversary of the July 15 coup attempt, Institute Social organized a forum titled "Remembering July 15 on its 10th Anniversary" in order to evaluate the coup attempt with its historical, social, legal and moral dimensions, going beyond daily political discussions, and to create a common accounting ground for Türkiye's democratic future.
Speaking at the forum, Berat Albayrak, former Minister of Treasury, Finance and Energy and Natural Resources, said that there were many things about that night that would take them to their graves, some of which they remembered and some of which they had forgotten, and that there were things that would be clearly revealed when the day came.
Noting that they heard many heroic stories about July 15, Albayrak said, "I testify that I can clearly underline this here today, our manager Mustafa is one of the real heroes of that night. May God bless him in both worlds." he said.
Underlining that it is not only the state institutions that are completely unorganized, unconscious, unaware and unprepared against a planned coup of the organization, Albayrak said, "I say this to everyone, my friends. I say, 'Look, friends, we are meeting on the bridge at nine tonight. There is a coup. Do we agree? But there are tanks here, we will come out with our bare hands." I don't know how many people would come if I said so. But that night, with tranquility and emotion, millions of people descended on the field with their bare hands." he said.
Albayrak stated that, that night, they later learned that one of the two pilots on the plane was a FETO member, and according to the information they received, they decided to land at Atatürk Airport because Sabiha Gökçen Airport was difficult for landing.
Explaining that one of the pilots suggested landing at Sabiha Gökçen Airport, citing reasons such as "The runway is dark, they may have pulled a truck onto the runway", to avoid landing at Atatürk Airport, Albayrak said, "But since we knew there was a problem at Sabiha before the plane took off, of course I got angry again. Our manager might have forgotten this conversation, so I called again. God bless him, he said, 'Don't worry. The process is complete.' he said. I talked to our President again and we landed." he said.
Albayrak stated that he had many memories of that night and said, "I am speaking on behalf of myself, alongside our citizens who experienced martyrdom and became veterans that night, we were tested with much less. We were all tested with our children. They could not say goodbye to their children. Maybe our children were in our arms." he said.
Noting that it is important to explain these processes to young people, Albayrak said, "This has a burden on us. It is very valuable for you to speak, explain and keep this process alive on our martyrs and veterans." he said.