Turkish Airlines In Alleged Arms Shipment Claim To Nigeria

A Turkish international carrier with operations in Nigeria, allegedly shipped weapons to unknown groups in the country, an incriminating phone call, according to AFP, revealed on Tuesday.

Although the airline denied the claim in a statement sent to our correspondent on Wednesday, it however admitted that its carriage of arms was done in accordance with international laws.

AFP described the leaked conversation as the latest blow to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been hit by a corruption probe ensnaring his key allies and a widening phone-tapping scandal.

In the tape which was posted on YouTube, an Assistant Executive of the airline, Mehmet Karatas, allegedly told an advisor to Erdogan, Mustafa Varank, that he feels guilty over national flag carrier’s arms shipment to Nigeria.

“I do not know whether these (weapons) will kill Muslims or Christians. I feel sinful,” Karatas allegedly said.

The leaked call had the potential to harm the airline’s image, which is 49 per cent state-owned and is in an aggressive push to become a global player.

When contacted, the spokesperson, Aviation Parastatals Nigeria, Mr. Yakubu Dati, told our correspondent that he was not aware of the development and would not comment on it.

Reacting to the development, the General Manager, Turkish Airlines Incorporated, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Ahmet Can Akbuga, said the news was causing false valuation on public opinion.

Akbuga, in a statement, said the carriage of arms and military supplies by Turkish Airlines were being made on cargo in the framework of the relevant international laws and the International Air Transport Association rules, and in strict conformity with official procedures.

The statement reads in part, “On the carriage of arms, the forwarders and addressees can send their cargo with Turkish Airlines Cargo through the representative they have designated, after accomplishing the necessary official approval procedure from the relevant state authorities.

“Turkish Airlines Cargo effectuates such shipment again in strict conformity with the law and rules of the forwarders’ and addressees’ countries and by taking necessary security measures as being done by other air carriers.”

He noted that Turkish Airlines was not undertaking the carriage of arms to/from the countries that United Nations Security Council had imposed arms ban on, or countries that lack authority and/or under conflict.

Akbuga said, “This is also the case for the country mentioned in the news, Turkish Airlines has not effectuated any carriage of arms to that country from Turkey nor from any country.”

AFP