According to a report, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented each NATO summit participant in Ankara with a Sarsilmaz SR 38 revolver engraved with the recipient's name. The gift adds a new detail to the ongoing controversy over the pistols, which earlier reports indicated were accompanied by live ammunition.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave each NATO summit participant in Ankara a Sarsilmaz SR 38 revolver engraved with the recipient's name, according to a report. The detail adds a personal touch to the controversial gift that has been the subject of several reports.
The Zioneer reported earlier Thursday that the pistols were not loaded but included live ammunition, and that Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever accidentally took a loaded revolver with him. The engraved pistols now appear to be part of a deliberate diplomatic gesture, though the timing and intent remain unclear.
As The Zioneer reported on Thursday, the gift boxes also contained live ammunition and export permits, and the British prime minister initially revealed the gifts. The Belgian PM's incident, reported at 13:55 Jerusalem, highlighted security concerns around the unannounced gifts.
It remains unclear whether all NATO leaders accepted the pistols or if any declined, and whether the export permits were valid for all recipients.
4 developments
- StrongBelgian PM accidentally took loaded revolver gifted by Erdogan, delegation discovers upon landing
- DevelopingErdogan, Rutte walk hand-in-hand at NATO summit in Ankara
- DevelopingErdogan says he discussed defense industry cooperation with Trump at NATO summit
- DevelopingReport: Trump tells Erdogan he's coming to NATO summit in July just for him
Source and signal
- Internal intake