The International University of Sarajevo (IUS) participated in the panel “National Will and Democratic Resistance: The 10th Anniversary of July 15,” held at Sarajevo City Hall to mark Türkiye’s Democracy and National Unity Day.
Organized by the Directorate of Communications of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, the event brought together senior officials, diplomats, academics and representatives of institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Türkiye.
IUS was represented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Krupalija, who spoke about the historical bond between the Turkish people and the military, as well as the constitutional and social implications of the attempted coup of July 15, 2016.
He emphasized that the attempted coup was directed against Türkiye’s constitutional order and sought to undermine the deeply rooted relationship between the nation and its armed forces.
“Throughout history, a strong bond has been built between the people and the military, and it was precisely this bond that came under attack. I consider this to be the greatest betrayal,” Asst. Prof. Dr. Krupalija said.
He also noted that FETO presented itself as a religious organization while exploiting the spiritual values of society for its own interests.
The event was attended by senior officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Türkiye, including Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić, Deputy Speakers Denis Zvizdić and Kemal Ademović, Minister of Defence Zukan Helez and Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Bosnia and Herzegovina H.E. Emin Akseki.
The panel was moderated by Ferudun Yılmaz, Rector of Bursa Uludağ University and Chairman of the Board of TRT. Other speakers included Hüseyin Yayman, Prof. Dr. Admir Mulaosmanović and Ambassador Muhamed Jusić.
The program concluded with a screening of the documentary film At Dawn (Şafak Vakti), which portrays the events of July 15, 2016.
