Erdoğan-linked military firm posts ad on TV during main opposition leader Kılıçdaroğlu interview

Duvar English

SADAT, a private military firm with close ties to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on Jan. 14 posted an advertisement with armed and masked persons on TV100 during the interview with main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kııçdaroğlu.

Kılıçdaroğlu gathered with his deputies in front of the SADAT building in Istanbul eight months ago and implied that the firm was preparing to jeopardize the security of the upcoming general elections.

After the advertisement, Kılıçdaroğlu said in a tweet that “You, wastes of paramilitary. Who are you to threaten (me)?” referring to SADAT, which is often dubbed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's "parallel army," acting within the knowledge of the National Defense Ministry.

SADAT CEO Melih Tanrıverdi stated that they posted the ad intentionally during Kılıçdaroğlu's interview.

“Who would have thought Kılıçdaroğlu would be defeated by an advertisement worth 1,500 liras?” he noted.

The advertisement stirred a huge reaction on social media and among dissident politicians, arguing that SADAT was threatening Kılıçdaroğlu.

The moderator of the interview, Uğur Dündar, said that “I have no knowledge or interest in the advertisements included in the program. SADAT’s ad was only shown for eight seconds and then removed by the management.

TV100 Chief Director Alican Değer said that the ad was aired due to the advertising department’s lack of political knowledge. 

Moreover, TV100 announced that they dismissed the General Manager of Advertising and the Directorial Manager due to the incident.

SADAT was founded in 2012 by former Turkish brigadier general Adnan Tanrıverdi, who was expelled from the military in 1996 because of his suspicions about Islamist activities.

Tanrıverdi served as an adviser to Erdoğan before being forced to resign from his post in January 2020 after telling a religious conference that SADAT was paving the way for the coming of the Mahdi, a messianic figure some Muslims believe will redeem mankind before the world ends.

Main opposition implies Erdoğan-linked military firm preparing to jeopardize election securityPolitics

Turkish minister refuses to answer question on tax audits of SADAT, cites 'confidentiality' clausePolitics

We conducted entrance interviews for military schools: Founder of Erdoğan's 'parallel army'Politics

Turkish mafia leader claims Erdoğan's 'parallel army' sent weapons to al-Nusra in SyriaDiplomacy

Close advisor to Erdoğan, who said 'Mahdi will come,' resignsPolitics