Orhan Uzuner,the father-in-law of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s son Bilal, has established an armed group to mobilize the public in the event of a new coup attempt, according to a story in the Cumhuriyet daily on Monday.
Turkey experienced a failed coup on July 15. The people took to the streets to confront the coup plotters upon a call from President Erdoğan.
The name of the group is Kardeş Kal Türkiye (Remain Brothers Turkey). At the first meeting of the group in January, Uzuner explained that the aim of the group was to get people to take to the streets in the shortest time possible in the event of a coup attempt.
“Our smallest device is a whistle. There is a megaphone in my car. There are also guns that we will use when necessary. We need to make such preparations,” Uzuner said, adding that were united around Erdoğan.
Under the leadership of Uzuner, many groups have been established in the instant messaging application WhatsApp, and wireless systems are being set up in every district. Group members also get training on first aid from the Health Ministry and instructions on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles from the Civilian Aviation Directorate General.