Today in History – 15 June

İsmet Pasha sentenced to death

After Mustafa Kemal Pasha initiated the struggle for independence in Anatloia and founded the Grand National Assembly in Ankara on April 23, 1920, he was sentenced to death by the War Tribunal in İstanbul and the decision of the Court was sanctioned by Sultan Vahdettin on May 24, 1920.

Shortly thereafter on June 6, 1920, National Struggle advocates İsmet Pasha, Bekir Sami Kunduh, Celalettin Arif, Dr. Rıza Nur, Yusuf Kemal Tengirşenk, Hamdullah Suphi Tanrıöver, Rıfat Börekçi, and Fahrettin Altay were also sentenced to death. Once again, Sultan Vahdettin ratified the decision on June 15, 1920.