ATATÜRK’S RESPECT FOR JUDICIAL DECISIONS
Writer and linguist Mehmet Ali Ağakay recounts:
Two years before his death, a plot to assassinate Atatürk was
uncovered. Shockingly, the person accused of organizing it was
Ali Saip Ursavaş, a Member of Parliament from Urfa, who had
worked alongside Atatürk since the National Struggle, earned his
trust and affection, and benefited from his kindness.
The news caused astonishment and disgust throughout the country.
Everyone was talking about it, saying “How could this be?” and
no one could find a reason to explain it. The suspect was
arrested and handed over to justice. Yet Atatürk, as if unaware
of the incident, did not utter a word or reveal his thoughts. He
remained silent until the court delivered its final verdict.
This silence was interpreted in different ways: some thought “He
does not want to recall such a sorrowful event,” while others
believed “He does not think it is true.”
Since the charges against the accused could not be proven in
court, he was acquitted. Only after the judge’s decision did
Atatürk speak on the matter for the first and last time, saying
simply:
-A
crime was attempted, but the judge did not find sufficient
evidence to be convinced.