Presidential Advisor Saral Removed from Office Over Azerbaijan Statements

Presidential Advisor Oktay Saral was removed from office following a social media post criticizing Azerbaijan's headscarf ban; Saral personally confirmed his departure.

On October 13, Saral posted on his X account declaring it "unacceptable" that female students wearing headscarves were not being admitted to schools in Azerbaijan, stating "In this day and age, such an approach should never be permitted." According to Middle East Eye, three officials and a source with knowledge of the matter claimed that the Azerbaijan government had requested Saral's removal from Ankara.

Journalist Talat Atilla stated he called Saral by phone and relayed the following quote: "Yes. We are not independent of the authorities. The President appointed me, and I was removed on his orders. I have no grievance with anyone." When Atilla asked, "Was it because of your statements about Azerbaijan?" Saral replied, "Yes, it appears so." Following the conversation, Saral also stated: "What matters is the Turkish Republic. What matters is the success of our President."

Journalist Fuat Uğur, known for his proximity to the government, was the first to bring the removal to public attention. Uğur wrote, "I heard that dear Oktay Saral was removed from office, and I am very saddened," and pointed out that interstate relations should not be personalized. Uğur also emphasized that if Saral was removed because he was a state official, Turkey might have the right to demand the removal of the person heading Azerbaijan's State News Agency.

Azerbaijan, within the framework of new regulations covering elementary, middle, and high schools, banned the use of "additional clothing items that disrupt school uniform uniformity and are incompatible with the secularism principle of education"; following this policy, female students and teachers wearing headscarves were not admitted to schools.