Dismissal of the Chief Advisor to the President of Turkey at Azerbaijan’s Request
Oktay Saral, Senior Advisor to the President of Turkey, was dismissed from his post. This dismissal took place after his statements about Azerbaijan and the headscarf issue.
In Azerbaijan, the government, under new laws covering primary, middle, and high schools, banned the use of additional coverings that disrupt the uniformity of school uniforms and are incompatible with the principle of secular education. Following this ban, students and teachers wearing headscarves were not allowed to enter schools.
After this, Oktay Saral, Senior Advisor to the President, issued a statement on social media on October 13 and said: “Preventing headscarf-wearing students in Azerbaijan from benefiting from the right to education is unacceptable! Such an understanding should never be tolerated in this era!”
Three official officials and one informed source claimed that Azerbaijan, in response, requested Saral’s dismissal from his post.
After this incident, Saral wrote on the social network: “Our President appointed me to this post, and I resigned by his order. I have no ill will toward anyone.”
